Humoral immunity status in neonates born to pre-eclamptic toxaemia mothers
Das, S.; Sanyal, S.; Banerjee, U.; Basu, K.
Journal of the Indian Medical Association 96(3): 77-79
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5847 PMID: 9828549 Document Number: 278690
A prospective study conducted at the Medical College in Calcutta, India, assessed the immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels of infants born to mothers with pre-eclamptic toxemia (PET). 90 low-income mothers 17-32 years of age admitted to the facility in 1992-93 were enrolled; 46 had normal pregnancies and 44 had PET. Women with PET were admitted at 28-30 weeks of gestation to ensure adequate rest and nutrition before delivery. 67.4% of infants of women with a normal pregnancy and 54.4% of those in the PET group were low birth weight. Apgar scores were good to excellent in both groups. In both study groups, IgG levels were higher in infants of normal birth weight and higher Apgar scores than in those with low birth weight and lower Apgar scores. The lower level of IgG in low-birth-weight infants is probably attributable to blockage of the IgG-specific Fc receptor site in the placenta due to acute atherosis and reduced uteroplacental perfusion.