We studied 13 tonsils from newborn infants in order to understand the
evolution of the microscopical alterations in tonsils of children with
recurrent infections. The weight of the newborns ranged from 0.540 to
3.250 kg. All tonsils had a similar histopathological pattern, indepe
ndent of the weight of the newborn. The epithelium of the crypt showed
no or slight infiltration of lymphocytes. All cases had some dilated
crypts with formation of cysts lined by squamous epithelium and filled
with squamous debris. The lymphoid tissue was poorly developed and wi
th no differentiation into primary follicles. Similar cysts have been
described in recurrent tonsillitis as a result of focal compression of
the lumen of crypts by enlarged lymphoid follicles or abscess. Howeve
r, our narrowing of the lumen of the crypts was near the surface of th
e tonsils.