[Phagocytosis and bactericidal capacity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in neonates]

Phagocytosis and bactericidal capacity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) obtained from umbilical venous blood was estimated in 30 neonates and their mothers by the use of fluorochrome microassay of Pantazis and Kniker. Phagocytosis of Staphylococcus was similar in both groups and controls, while intracellular bacteria killing was significantly impaired in PMN obtained from the neonates. These results may indicate that increased susceptibility to infection observed in neonates may be partly caused by PMN function impairment.