Antik�rper gegen impfpr�ventable Erkrankungen bei Schwangeren und deren Neugeborenen

In the eastern part of Germany, the age of primigravid women has increased from the end of the 2nd decade to the second half of the 3rd decade since 1990. This might influence the vaccine-induced immunity in pregnant women as well as their newborns. The objective of the present study was to examine the influence of the higher age of pregnant women on antibody protection. Maternal and cord blood samples of 290 women in the eastern part of Germany with a mean age of 28 years were analyzed for antibodies against the vaccine-preventable diseases diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus. Compared with the data on vaccination history, the seroprevalence rate of tetanus was significantly enhanced and the seroprevalence rate of diphtheria and pertussis was significantly reduced. Detectable levels of antibodies against tetanus toxin were found in 93% of the mothers, against diphtheria toxin in 70%, and against Bordetella pertussis in 37%. Cord blood samples had a significantly higher prevalence of antibodies against pertussis and diphtheria in comparison to maternal probes. In addition,there were significantly enhanced antibody concentrations against diphtheria toxin in the newborns. In conclusion, the prevalence of antibodies determined suggests they are insufficient for protecting the newborns efficiently against pertussis and diphtheria in spite of the evidence for an active placental antibody transfer.