RESUMO
Determination of the immunoglobulin M(IgM) in umbilical cord sera has been advocated as a screening test for intrauterine infection, since the IgM is produced by the fetus and is not transported across the placenta from mother. The low level of IgM in normal neonate is thought to reflect the infrequent encounter of antigenic stimuli by the futus, upon exposure to an appropriate antigen, however, the fetus is capable of increased IgM production, as has been doucumented in infant with rubella syndrome, cytomegalic inclusion disease, toxoplasmosis and syphilis. But until now we don't have the normal value of cord serum IgM in Korean neonate yet. So we performed the study to determine the normal value of serum IgM in Korean neonate and further more we try to compare the value of other condition such as congenital syphilis, maternal infection during pregnancy other than syphilis and congenital anomalies. Results were as followes: 1. Normal value of cord Igm was 11.83+/-9.92 mg % 2. There was no sexual difference 3. Lowest levele were noted at small weight(2500 gm upwards arrow) and short gestation period(28 wk upwards arrow) but not significant thereafter 4. There was no difference by matenal age and socioeconomic status 5. In congenital syphilis there was significant increment of cord IgM compared with normal group 6. There was no significant increment of cord ISM in cogenital anomalies 7. After 6 months, IgM levels were increased to adult level.