title: Antitetanus and antidiphtheria immunity in newborns.
abstract: The level of antitetanus and antidiphtheria immunity was evaluated in 280 pairs (mother-newborn) and in 56 pairs where mothers (aged 19-26 yrs.) were vaccinated in the 7th month of pregnancy with an adsorbed tetanus vaccine dose. The results revealed a high antitetanus immunity level both in mothers and newborns (93.57% and 92.85% respectively) and a low antidiphtheria protection level (79.64% and 77.14%). Immunization of pregnant women ensures a 100% passive protection of newborns against tetanus before administration of the first vaccine doses. The data obtained also proved that placental transfer of the specific circulating antibodies was high (98.58% and 95% for diphtheria). The high percentage of newborns susceptible to diphtheria toxinfection points to the need to immunize mothers-to-be with low combined diphthero-tetanus (d-T) vaccine doses and to closely observe vaccination programme (Ministry of Health) of children with combined diphthero-tetanus-pertussis vaccine (CDTPV) at an early age (two months).
authors.affiliation: Cantacuzino Institute, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Durbacă
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003017:Clostridium tetani / Q000276:immunology*; D003353:Corynebacterium diphtheriae / Q000276:immunology*; D004165:Diphtheria / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004166:Diphtheria Antitoxin / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D013742:Tetanus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013743:Tetanus Antitoxin / Q000097:blood; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D004166:Diphtheria Antitoxin; D013743:Tetanus Antitoxin; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid