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Delayed separation of the umbilical cord, widespread infections, and defective neutrophil mobility
Insights
Delayed umbilical cord separation in infants can signal serious health issues, including severe infections and impaired neutrophil function. Ascorbic acid may help improve neutrophil mobility in some cases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Delayed umbilical cord separation is a rare condition.
- It can be associated with severe local and disseminated infections.
Observation:
- Six infants from two families presented with umbilical cords still attached at 3 weeks of age.
- Five infants developed severe infections, with four fatalities.
- Two infants, including a survivor, exhibited defective neutrophil mobility.
Findings:
- Defective neutrophil mobility was observed in infants with delayed umbilical cord separation and severe infections.
- Ascorbic acid improved neutrophil mobility in vitro and in vivo in one survivor.
- A sixth infant with delayed separation but normal neutrophil function had co-occurring mastocytosis.
Implications:
- A primary genetic defect in contractile proteins may underlie the observed association.
- This suggests a potential link between neutrophil function, umbilical cord healing, and genetic factors.
- Further research is needed to explore the role of ascorbic acid and genetic defects in these conditions.
Abstract:
In six infants, from two families. the umbilical cords were still attached at 3 weeks of age. Five of these developed severe local and disseminated infections from which four died. Two of these children were tested, and both, including the survivor, had defective neutrophil mobility; in the survivor this was improved in vitro and in vivo by ascorbic acid. It is suggested that a primary genetic defect of a contractile protein could explain the association. The sixth child, with delayed cord separation but normal neutrophil mobility and no excess of infections, who has survived without special treatments, also has mastocytosis, apparently inherited independently.