title: Tetanus immunity in neonates in a developed country.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In consideration of comprehensive and well-established vaccination programmes in industrialized countries, it is expected that immunity against tetanus among expectant mothers and their offspring is complete. Our study evaluated seroprotection against tetanus among newborns in Austria, who may gain passive immunity by transplacental transfer of maternal tetanus antibody.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cord blood samples from 99 deliveries were analyzed for antibody concentration against tetanus toxoid by standardized ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  85/99 (85.8%) individuals presented with levels of tetanus immunity having a protective antibody concentration ≥0.1 IU/ml. 9/99 (9.1%) samples showed low seropositivity, while in 5/99 (5.1%) samples no tetanus antibodies could be detected. The median antibody concentration was 0.95 IU/ml.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data provide evidence for a lack of adequate tetanus immunity in 14.2% of newborns delivered in an Austrian University Hospital. This investigation is emphasizing the importance of stringent regimens concerning prenatal vaccination care, even in countries with generalized immunization programs. If indicated, maternal immunization during pregnancy should be initiated for protection of newborns.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Paediatric Neonatology, Intensive Care and Neuropaediatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Andrea-Romana
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Prusa
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wiedermann
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Kasper
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hayde
authors.forename: Hanns
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Helmer
authors.forename: Arnold
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pollak
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Förster-Waldl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D019049:Developed Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired / Q000502:physiology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013742:Tetanus / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid