Cytogenetical findings in children born to carriers of hepatitis-associated antigen.

The chromosomes of 50 newborn infants, born to healthy HAA carriers were examined. No chromosomal syndrome was observed. As compared with a control group, the number of amodal cells was found to be significantly higher and the relative proportion of stable aberrations was also higher in the HAA group. Furthermore, cells with rings and dicentrics were found and the number of culture failures was significantly higher. These findings suggest that infection with the HAA agent has occurred early in pregnancy even though HAA could not be detected in cord blood.