MATERNAL SERUM-PROTEINS IN IDIOPATHIC RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME OF THE NEWBORN

Serum-proteins were studied in healthy women and in women who delivered infants with idiopathic respiratory-distress syndrome (I.R.D.S.) at intervals of 2-3 weeks during pregnancy; at delivery in a series of mothers of healthy premature infants and in a series of mothers whose infants had I.R.D.S.; and in some of the same women 6 weeks or more postpartum. I.R.D.S. mothers had significantly lower levels of γ-globulins than the control group. This deficiency was present from about 16-20 weeks and throughout pregnancy, and was rectified within about 6 weeks after delivery. I.R.D.S. mothers and controls did not differ significantly with respect to the concentrations of total serum-protein and serum-albumin.