Neutrophil chemotaxis in infants of diabetic mothers and in preterms at birth.

The chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes of infants of diabetic mothers and of preterms was found lower than that of full term newborns when cells were incubated in autologous serum. When leukocytes from full terms were incubated in preterm serum, chemotaxis was significantly reduced. When leukocytes from either infants of diabetic mothers or preterms were incubated with full term serum, chemotaxis was significantly increased. No difference was found between infants of diabetic mothers and preterms. These results suggest that both groups of patients have a deficiency in serum factors playing a part in chemotaxis.