Objective: Mannose-binding lectin deficiency may predispose children to having increased infection susceptibility. However, there is no conclusive evidence that mannose-binding lectin deficiency is associated with adverse respiratory consequences in children. We aimed to evaluate the effects of mannose-binding lectin deficiency (defined as a level of less than 0.6 mg/L) on clinical, radiological, and microbiological characteristics in children presenting with troublesome respiratory symptoms, as compared to those who are mannosebinding lectin-sufficient.
Material and methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate the association between mannose-binding lectin deficiency and respiratory outcomes in children over a period of 10 years in a large teaching hospital. Children presenting with frequent or persistent respiratory symptoms such as a chronic wet cough lasting more than 4 weeks, recurrent lower respiratory tract infections (≥4 infections in a year), or severe respiratory tract infections requiring admission to intensive care or to high dependency unit were included in the study.
Results: The study showed no significant difference in clinical outcomes with mannose-binding lectin deficiency and sufficiency. Thirty-two percent of children with mannose-binding lectin deficiency and 30% of those with mannose-binding lectin sufficiency had positive respiratory microbiology. Twenty-three percent of children with mannose-binding lectin deficiency and 24% of those with mannose-binding lectin sufficiency had radiological changes on plain radiographs; also the prevalence of bronchiectasis was similar in both groups. The rates of admission to pediatric intensive care unit were comparable in the 2 groups.
Conclusions: Children with mannose-binding lectin deficiency and sufficiency showed similar clinical, radiological, and microbiological characteristics. Our study suggests that there are no childhood adverse respiratory consequences with mannose-binding lectin deficiency.