[Immunity against diphtheria in mothers and their newborns in Hamburg (1980)].

The Diphtheria antitoxin level (indirect haemagglutination) was measured in blood samples respectively cord blood of 185 mothers and their newborns. Protective titers (greater than or equal to 0.1 I.U. Diphtheria antitoxin/ml) were found in 29.2% of the confined women and in 27% of their newborn babies. A review of similar investigations from the literature is given, and diphtheria toxoid boosters are recommended for youngsters and adults to improve the relatively poor immunity status against diphtheria in the population.