Comparison of maternal and fetal serum IgG levels at birth

During a 10-year period ending December 1986, 4,702 pairs of fetal and maternal serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were measured and compared. Serum IgG levels were significantly higher (p less than 0.05) in fetal cord blood (1,320 +/- 220 mg/dl) than in the maternal circulating blood (1,150 +/- 210 mg/dl). Maternal and fetal serum IgG levels were correlated (r = 0.63). And the linear regression was Y = 0.64X + 580. When compared on a seasonal basis, both maternal and fetal serum IgG levels rose in winter. In an annual comparison, both serum IgGs demonstrated a seven to eight year cyclic change. The author suggest that these trends may have an effect on the course of certain epidemic infections diseases.