Cord Blood T Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Premature and Full-Term Infants

Abstract
Cord blood lymphocyte preparations from premature and full-term infants were examined for T cell subsets using monoclonal antibodies. The number of T cells in relation to the total number of lymphocytes, the proportions of T helper (Th), and T suppressor (Ts) phenotypes, respectively, were the same in preterm infants of gestational age (GA) 26–36 weeks and term infants (GA 38–41) weeks). There was no correlation between GA and Th/Ts ratio. The relative number Ts was significantly lower in infants than in adult women.