Comparative study of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M among neonates in caesarean section and vaginal delivery

Abstract

The present study comprised 50 cases of normal vaginal delivery and 50 cases of caesarean section. The cord blood level of immunoglobulin G was significantly higher in normal vaginal delivery cases than in caesarean section cases (mean level is 1653.2 +/- 443.1 mg/dl and 898.3 +/- 415.6 mg/dl respectively). The immunoglobulin G was low in cord blood but had higher concentration in all the 7 cases in study group who had fever with rigor in antenatal period. Thus the babies delivered with caesarean section had lower immunoglobulin level than normal vaginal delivery.

PIP: In India, data on 50 newborns delivered vaginally and data on 50 other newborns delivered by cesarean section for cephalopelvic disproportion were analyzed to compare the maternal and cord blood levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM). The mothers were 21-33 years old. Hemoglobin levels ranged between 10 and 12 g/dl. For cord blood, normal delivery cases had a higher IgG level than cesarean section cases (1653 vs. 898.3 mg/dl). For maternal blood, however, the IgG level was not significantly different (1310 mg/dl for vaginal and 1275 mg/dl for cesarean section). Seven of the 50 mothers who delivered by cesarean section had a severe fever. All their newborns had higher IgG levels than other cesarean section cases and vaginal delivery cases (1060 vs. 896 mg/dl). IgM maternal and cord blood levels were not significantly different between the two groups. These findings suggest a need for prophylactic measures to prevent complication of neonatal sepsis.