Immunoglobulins IgG, IgM and IgA levels in preterm and small for date newborns
Sharma, S.; Lal, H.; Saigal, R.K.
Indian Pediatrics 28(7): 741-744
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 1800347 Document Number: 387221
Forty preterm [14 small for gestational age (SGA), 26 average for gestational age (AGA)] and 40 term (10 SGA and 30 AGA) babies were tested for immunoglobulins (Ig) G, M and A levels. IgG levels increased with gestational age from 922.00 .+-. 14.00 mg/dl at 34 weeks to 1827.33 .+-. 184.09 mg/dl at 40 weeks. Mean immunoglobulins were lower in SGA babies. IgG was 1029.59 .+-. 122.80 mg/dl in SGA preterm babies and increased to 1262.00 .+-. 200.00 mg/dl in 2 kg babies. IgM and IgA although increased with higher birth weight but rise was not statistically significant. More care to avoid infections in preterm and SGA babies, with lower immunoglobulin levels and less resistance, is recommended.