Investigations on properdin activity in the mature and premature newborns with the intrauterine infection.

Properdin level was determined in amniotic fluid, venous blood serum of mothers, umbilical cord blood serum and venous blood of 4-day-old newborns infected intrauterinally. Investigations were performed in 30 babies born at term and 15 premature babies born in the 31st-37th weeks of pregnancy. The control group comprised 30 mature and 15 premature healthy babies. It was observed that among the mature as well as premature infants, in the cases of the intrauterine infections properdin level, was significantly higher in venous blood serum of mothers and venous blood of 4-day-old infants. However, no significant changes in properdin level in umbilical cord blood were noted.