EVALUATING THE CHILD WITH RECURRENT INFECTIONS

In evaluating recurrent childhood infections, the physician must keep in mind the rarity of true immunodeficiency and the frequency of atopy , day care, exposure to cigarette smoke and anatomic variations as pre disposing factors in recurrent childhood illnesses. Determining true i mmunodeficiency involves exclusion of risk factors for human immunodef iciency virus infection, identification of a family history of immunod eficiency and recognition of specific physical and laboratory findings . in most cases, screening immunoglobulin studies will distinguish the normal child from the child with an abnormal immune system. Managemen t of the patient with true immunodeficiency is carried out in collabor ation with specialists in these uncommon disorders.