Neutrophil functions of Chinese neonates

To delineate neutrophil function of preterm and full-term neonates of Chinese origin.

Chinese neonates admitted to two major Hong Kong neonatal units were randomly selected for the study. Candidacidal activity, phagocytosis, chemotaxis and nitroblue tetrazolium reduction scores were evaluated from blood.

Except for chemotactic activity, the neutrophil functions of Chinese preterm neonates were similar to Chinese full-term neonates. The candidacidal activity of males was significantly lower when compared with female neonates. Compared with adult controls, both term and preterm infants had similar phagocytic activities although their candidacidal activities and chemotactic index were significantly decreased. Neutrophil function of Chinese infants was nearer to that of adult controls than historically reported for western infants.

: Preterm Chinese neonates had similar neutrophil function to full-term infants. Neutrophil function of Chinese infants was more mature than that of western infants.