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Immunochemical quantitation of serum complement components in SFD and AFD infants
The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine
|September 1, 1980
Summary
Full-term small-for-date infants often have lower levels of certain complement proteins, including C1q and C5, compared to appropriate-for-date infants. Infant complement levels are generally lower than maternal levels, correlating with gestational age and birth weight.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The complement system is crucial for innate immunity.
- Understanding complement levels in newborns is vital for assessing immune function.
- Small-for-date (SFD) infants may have altered physiological development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare complement component concentrations between full-term SFD and appropriate-for-date (AFD) infants.
- To investigate the relationship between infant and maternal complement levels.
- To examine correlations between whole complement activity and infant characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of complement protein concentrations (C1q, C3, C3-activator, C4, C5, C9) in infant and maternal sera.
- Assay of whole complement hemolytic activity.
- Comparison of complement levels between SFD and AFD infant groups and their mothers.
Main Results:
- Half of SFD infants exhibited lower C1q and C5 levels compared to AFD infants.
- C3, C3-activator, C4, and C9 levels did not significantly differ between SFD and AFD infants.
- Infant complement component concentrations were consistently lower than maternal levels, with varying infant-maternal ratios.
Conclusions:
- Full-term SFD infants may have a partially compromised complement system, particularly concerning C1q and C5.
- Maternal transfer significantly contributes to infant complement levels.
- Whole complement activity in umbilical cord serum correlates with gestational age and birth weight.