Abstract
Extract: Sera of 1763 normal pregnant women were screened for antibodies against Gm (a), Gm (b), and Gm (f) factors. Twenty-eight patients (1.59%) possessed specific Gm agglutinators. Incidence of fetal death, synthesis of the incompatible genetic gamma globulin factor, and levels of gamma globulin were determined. Four infants with Gm factor fetomaternal incompatibilities whose mothers possessed isoantibodies were studied over a period of from 8 to 24 months. Serial quantitative gamma globulin determinations from the affected infants produced results which compared favorably with seven control infants and normal values cited in the literature. There appeared to be no impairment of synthesis of the specific incompatible genetic gamma globulin, expressed as a titer of hemagglutination inhibition. The development of specific genetic gamma globulin factors throughout infancy is delineated. In the patients studied, no adverse effects resulted from fetomaternal gamma globulin incompatibility.
Speculation: High titers of maternal Gm antibody of the gamma G fraction may traverse the placenta and result in suppression of synthesis of the corresponding gamma globulin of the infant. Low titers cannot reach the fetal circulation in sufficient quantities to produce suppression. Alternatively, despite high levels of maternal antibody, no biological effects may result.
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Nathenson, G., Schorr, J. & Litwin, S. Gm Factor Fetomaternal Gamma Globulin Incompatibility. Pediatr Res 5, 2–9 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197101000-00002
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197101000-00002