Studies on prenatal infections in children with unknown cause of mental retardation and examination of their mothers.

Specific IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex (TORCH agents) were investigated in 32 infants and children with unexplained mental retardation (MR) and their mothers. 16 mentally normal infants and children of the same age group and their mothers were chosen as controls. Specific Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were 43.75% for MR cases and 37.5% for their mothers. Six (18.75%) mothers gave history of eating raw meat and canned food, while 8 (25%) had pet cats. 56.25% of the MR cases, and 81.25% of their mothers were positive to specific rubella IgG antibodies. 75% of MR cases and 81.25% of their mothers were positive for CMV specific IgG antibodies. Also, 18.75% of the MR cases and 25% of their mothers showed positivity to herpes simplex specific IgG antibodies. 93.75% showed positivity to one or more of the mentioned pathogenic agents.

A study on secretory IgA in malnourished children with chronic diarrhoea associated with parasitic infections.

Fifty infants and children of both sexes (6-36 months) were divided into three groups (gp I) 20 malnutrition with chronic diarrhoea, (gp II) 20 malnutrition without diarrhoea and (gp III) cross matched control. In gp I, 75% showed parasitic infections with a significant increase in serum IgA (133.7 +/- 18.9) as compared to gp II (P < 0.001). Mean concentration of IgA was 4.87 +/- 1.24. In gp II, 20% showed parasitic infections with a non significant increase in serum IgA (115.8 +/- 14.2) as compared to gp III. The mean urinary secretory IgA was 4.87 +/- 1.24, 1.12 +/- 0.325, and 1.44 +/- 0.35 respectively. There was more or less, no significant correlation between urinary secretory IgA and serum IgA level in the three groups.