Correlation of birthweight with foeto-maternal immunoglobulin, total protein and albumin profile

Using immunodiffusion and biuret methods, immunoglobulins (GAMD), total proteins and albumin measurements were performed at birth on 100 apparently healthy Nigerian mothers and their babies. Sizeable concentrations of IgG were present at birth even in babies with low birth weights (1360 mg/100 ml). The mean IgG level in babies with low birth weights (2,500 g or less) was significantly lower (P less than 0.05) than in average weight and above average weight babies. The mean maternal and cord IgG levels were approximately equal in all except in the low birth weight babies where the mean maternal level was about 40% higher than the mean cord level. The scatter in IgG values was more pronounced in babies with low birth weights than the others. Mothers with higher IgG levels than in their corresponding babies were most prominent in the 'low birth weight' group. There was no significant difference between the maternal as well as between the cord serum IgA and IgM levels. The mean cord serum IgA and IgM levels were about 4 and 10% respectively of their mothers. Compared with the Caucasians, relatively higher quantities of IgD were found in the Nigerian mothers. Twenty-one percent of the maternal and all the cord sera had no detectable amount of IgD. The mean maternal total proteins though higher than the cord serum proteins, showed no statistical difference. The foeto-maternal serum albumin differential, showed statistical difference when average weight babies and above average weight babies were considered (P less than 0.05) but not with low birth weight babies (P less than 0.2).