Some aspects of the bacteriologic and immunologic status in parturient women and newborns

In the search for new methods of diagnosing or suspension of intrauterine infection, bacteriologic methods were used, sections of the placenta were examined, content of IgG, IgA and IgM immunoglobulins was determined, and neutrophilic leukocytes in peripheral blood were counted in the parturient women and their children, and in neonates polymorphonuclear leukocytes were also counted in gastric smears. The studies were carried out in two groups. Group I was composed of 24 randomly selected parturient women and their children, and group II of parturient women and their children in whom infection was suspected. The results confirm the existence of defense mechanisms which protect against infection in most cases.