SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULIN CONCENTRATION IN NIGERIAN INFANTS

Abstract

Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G, M and A were determined at 3-monthly intervals during the first year of life in 35 healthy Nigerian infants. The neonatal IgG values were high, but dropped rapidly by 3 months to about 37% of the neonatal value, and thereafter rose steadily. The neonatal IgM values dropped slightly (10%) by 3 months and then rose steadily to reach a level above the neonatal value after 1 year. IgA was not detected in most of the children during the neonatal period, but where it was detected and was measurable, the values were very low and then rose steadily until the age of 1 year. There was a suggestion that the pattern of immunoglobulin in infancy might be influenced by the level of maternal education.