The value of immunoglobulin and complement levels in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis

Abstract

Serum IgG, IgG1, G2, G3, G4, IgM, C3c and C4 concentrations were measured in 24 term neonates with sepsis and 17 healthy normal neonates of similar age, sex and weight (control group). The serum IgG, IgG1, G2, G3, G4, IgM, C3c, and C4 levels were similar in the patients with sepsis and the control group (p > 0.05). In the neonates with sepsis, serum IgG, G1, G2, IgM and C4 levels were not significantly different between the Ist and 10th days, while there were significant differences for IgG3, G4 and C3e (p < 0.05). We conclude that the serum levels of IgG, IgG1, G2, G3, G4, IgM, C3e and C4 concentrations are of no value for the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.