Abstract
Tetanus toxoid antibody levels were followed serially from birth to 18 months of age in 30 infants in Trinidad ranging in birth weight from 900 to 3,000 grams. Antibody levels were measured by ELISA and by the mouse protection test (Connaught Laboratories, Toronto). Twelve of the 30 infants had no detectable antibodies (<0.01 units/ml) during some part of this period. In 5 of the 12 infants there were no detectable passive antibodies (<0.01 units/ml) until after initiation of their immunization. Protective antibody levels were present following the first immunization in 4 of the 5, and following the second immunization in the fifth. These infants were susceptible to tetanus for the first 3 to 6 months of life, depending on the time of initiation of immunization. Seven infants had no detectable tetanus toxoid antibodies for periods ranging from 3 to 9 months prior to their booster at 18 months. In 5 of the 7, the passive neonatal titers at birth were high (1.5 - 12.5 units/ml). Of the 18 who had protective levels throughout this period, 15 had passive titers at birth between 0.01 and 1 units/ml. Three had passive titers of >1.5 units/ml. There was no correlation between the gestational age at birth or the time of initiation of immunization and the tetanus toxoid antibody response. Measurement of passive neonatal levels may-be important in determining when an immunization program sould be initiated.
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Read, S., Ali, Z. & Reid, H. 1155 NON-PROTECTIVE LEVELS OF TETANUS TOXOID ANTIBODIES IN INFANTS DURING THE FIRST 18 MONTHS OF LIFE. Pediatr Res 19, 303 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01185
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-01185
