Neonatal Immunity. I. Disparity in Maternal-Infant Poliovirus Antibody.∗

Summary Neutralizing antibody titrations for the 3 poliovirus serotypes performed on maternal and umbilical cord bloods at 48 deliveries revealed disparities of 4 to 64-fold in 14 individuals, the maternal titer always being higher. Double ovum twins had identical titers with each other, though not necessarily with their mother. The least frequent disparity was for the Type 1 antibody. The possible role of physical factors affecting the transfer of the different serotype antibody molecules is discussed.