FETAL AND MATERNAL IMMUNOGLOBULIN CONCENTRATIONS AT DELIVERY AND POST PARTUM

Summary

Concentrations of albumin and immunoglobulins G, A, and M, have been measured in paired maternal-fetal sera obtained at vaginal delivery, elective Caesaren section and Caesarean section during labour. Maternal serum concentrations were also measured in the puerperium. The albumin level was significantly higher in cord than maternal serum in all groups, and the cord IgG concentration was significantly raised above the maternal level at vaginal delivery and Caesarean section during labour. A significant rise of cord above maternal serum IgG was evident following a short period in labour, and no further increase occured. Uterine activity of labour therefore appears to be associated with a specific maternofetal transfer of IgG. The fetus may maintain a higher serum albumin level than its mother even before the onset of labour. In infants delivered vaginally, IgM was present in all sera, but IgA was only detected in 32.5 per cent of cases. The puerperal IgA level was significantly higher than the level at delivery in patients who were breast feeding.