The Journal of Experimental Medicine, Vol 94, 213-221,
Copyright, 1951, by The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research New York
THE HALF-LIFE OF PASSIVELY ACQUIRED ANTIBODY GLOBULIN MOLECULES IN INFANTS
Alexander S. Wiener M.D.1
1 From the Serological Laboratory of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York and the Blood Transfusion Division of the Jewish Hospital of Brooklyn
By following the titer of passively acquired Rh antibodies in newborn infants, it is calculated that the half-life of the placenta-passing Rh antibody molecule is approximately 30 days. Evidence is offered that this estimate applies not only to placenta-passing Rh antibodies, but also to other placenta-passing antibodies, and not improbably to serum gamma globulin molecules in general.
Studies on the fate of free Rh antibodies in erythroblastotic babies show that these antibodies often are eliminated no more rapidly in Rh-positive babies than in Rh-negative babies. On the other hand, incompatible alpha and beta antibodies, as a rule, are quickly neutralized and eliminated from the body of newborn infants. These observations provide one explanation for the lower incidence of erythroblastosis due to A-B sensitization in comparison with cases resulting from Rh sensitization.
Submitted on May 17, 1951
CiteULike 
Complore 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us 
Digg 
Reddit 
Technorati What's this?
