Complement activity in the cord blood of term neonates with the amniotic fluid infection syndrome

Cord blood samples from 11 term neonates whose placentas showed histological changes typical of the amniotic fluid infection syndrome were analysed in order to determine haemolytic activity of the classic and alternative complement pathways and serum levels of complement proteins and immunoglobulins. Although the mean values of all these parameters were higher in this group than in an age-related control group, only classic haemolytic pathway activity was significantly elevated (P less than 0,025).