The Relationship of Gamma Immunoglobin (IgG) Density and Apgar Score in Normal Term Pregnancy

Abstract

The transfer of maternal IgG provides the neonate with humoral immunity during early life. The population of transferred IgG or IgG density (IgGρ) was estimated to find out if it has any relevance to the condition of an infant 1-5 minutes after birth or APGAR score which gives an insight into the state of health of the infant and thus its chances of survival and its milestone of development. Ex-vivo, term placenta of forty euthyroid mothers, the maternal serum, and cord blood were used to estimate the IgGρ in both maternal and cord blood by taking blood samples from the antecubital vein of the mother and from the umbilical cord (mixed blood) immediately after birth; having determined the APGAR score within 1-5 minutes post-partum. The findings featured the following: the mean APGAR score (10); mean IgGρ of the neonates (11.94 ± 0.12mg/100ml of blood); mean IgGρ of the maternal blood (10.9 ± 0.29/100ml). The difference however, was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The findings provide evidence suggesting that IgGρ, not only relates to, but determines APGAR score of the neonates.

Keywords: APGAR score, IgG density, Term placenta, Cord blood