[Serum lysozyme activity in term and preterm newborns (author's transl)].

Serum levels of lysozyme were studied in 43 term and 36 premature newborns. Levels in premature babies were found to be significantly (p less than 0,001) lower than those of matures. Observation over two weeks revealed a rise of serum lysozyme in premature babies and a decline in mature newborns. The level seems to depend upon the turnover of neutrophile granulocytes. In 5 premature babies with clinical signs of sepsis the serum lysozyme concentrations were significantly (p less than 0,01) lower than those in healthy prematures. It is assumed that the activity of the intraneutrophilic lysozyme in patients with bacterial infections is reduced to as little as 50%. Urine controls for lysozyme in 43 newborns (mature and premature) did not show evidence of measurable lysozyme concentrations.