Immunological sequelae of intrauterine infection

Compared to normal children, pre-natally infected infants had significantly elevated IgM concentrations throughout the first year of life and elevated IgA levels for the first 6 months. In contrast, IgG levels dropped significantly below normal at 3 months post-partum. Infants born without overt disease but with elevated IgM were found to have precocious development of serum IgA when compared to control children. Levels of IgA and IgG in tears were markedly reduced in symptomatic children at 3 months of age. Lymphocyte response in vitro to phytohaemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen was low in symptomatic infants. These results suggest that intratuerine infection may result in multiple immunological abnormalities.