Fetal immunodeficiency: a consequence of placental insufficiency.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of placental insufficiency on fetal lymphocyte subpopulations.


METHODS
Cross sectional study of 19 growth retarded fetuses undergoing cordocentesis at 24 to 37 weeks gestation. Flow cytometry was used to enumerate fetal blood lymphocyte subpopulations.


RESULTS
The mean T (CD3+), B (CD19+), T-helper (CD4+), T-suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8+) cell counts and the CD4 to CD8 ratio in the growth retarded fetuses were significantly lower than respective normal mean for gestation (CD3+: z = 3.66, P < 0.001; CD19+: z = 2.18, P < 0.05; CD4+: z = 3.76, P < 0.001; CD8+: z = 2.26, P < 0.05; and CD4/CD8: z = 2.27, P < 0.05). There were significant associations between the decrease in the T lymphocyte subpopulations and the degree of fetal acidaemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Growth retarded fetuses demonstrate immune abnormalities that could be attributed to intrauterine starvation.
Thilaganathan
B
B
Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King's College Hospital School of Medicine, London, UK.
Plachouras
N
N
Makrydimas
G
G
Nicolaides
K H
KH
D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D010927:Placental Insufficiency / Q000150:complications*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013601:T-Lymphocytes