[Antimeningococcal antibodies in healthy mothers and their newborn (author's transl)].

: Blood specimen from 180 healthy mothers and their newborn were obtained during the delivery for the evaluation of placental transfer of anti-A, anti-B and anti-C antimeningococcal antibodies. The detection of titration of antibodies were performed by passive haemagglutination. Anti-A antibodies were found in 22%, anti-B in 64%, and anti-C in 30% of the mothers. In the newborns the corresponding proportions were 4.5%, 50% and 28%. For anti-A and anti-B antibodies a moderate positive correlation was found between the titre in mothers and their newborn. For anti-A antibodies, titres were generally low among both mothers and newborn and passive transfer was found in only 20%. For anti-B antibodies, titres were higher among both mothers and their newborn. Titre in newborn was as a rule lower than the corresponding titre of mother. Placental transfer of anti-B antibodies was high (78%). Finally, a strong positive correlation between the titre of mothers and their newborn was found for anti-C antibodies. Titres were usually similar in mothers and newborns and the placental transfer of anti-C antibodies was practically free (93%).