Impaired resistance to infection

An outline of the well defined disorders of impaired host defense has been presented. At this time the molecular biology and physiology of the immunity systems are poorly understood. Parameters of fetal function and development to maturity are almost totally unknown. In fact, it is the discovery of the clinical abnormalities which has occasioned the study and understanding of normal function. We have, however, arrived at a point where recognition of aberrations from normal is becoming facile and early detection, supportive and even corrective therapy are possible. To the author's knowledge not one instance of prenatal diagnosis of one of these disorders has been reported. This goal should soon be attained.