[Serum lysozyme activity of serum and umbilical cord blood in newborn babies-diagnostic value of the enzyme in infants with susceptibility to infections and in cases of septicemia. (author's transl)]. / Lysozymspiegel im Serum und Nabelschnurblut beim Neugeborenen-diagnostische Bedeutung des Enzyms bei Sepsis und sepsisgefährdeten Säuglingen.

Lysozyme levels were determined in serum and umbilical cord blood of 352 newborns and prematures. Levels in premature babies were found to be significantly lower than those of matures at the first day of life. A correlation was seen between the serum lysozyme and the birth weight of 219 mature newborns. In 14 premature babies with clinical signs of sepsis the concentrations of serum lysozyme were particularly decreased in cases of septicemia caused by gram-negative organisms. Serum levels of lysozyme in cord blood were significantly lower in 38 newborns with predisposition to septicemia (above all premature rupture of membranes greater than 24 hr.) comparing with healthy infants. The decreased serum levels of lysozyme in newborns with septicemia and the remarkable susceptibility of infections in male newborns are discussed.

[lysozyme level in urine during pregnancy (author's transl)]. / Lysozymspiegel im Urin während der Schwangerschaft.

In the urine in adults lysozyme is only found in traces or not at all. During the course of a normal pregnancy however, lysozymuria is present. In early pregnancy lysozyme is excreted only in small amounts; between the 31st and 40th week of gestation a larger amount of lysozyme in excreted into the urine. In comparing the urine lysozyme level in the 40th week of gestation and one week post partum, a significant reduction in the lysozyme level appears in the latter. On the other hand, the lysozyme level in the maternal serum and the fetal cord blood shows no significant difference.