Cord blood T lymphocyte subpopulations in premature and full-term infants.

Cord blood lymphocyte preparations from premature and full-term infants were examined for T cell subsets using monoclonal antibodies. The number of T cells in relation to the total number of lymphocytes, the proportions of T helper (Th), and T suppressor (Ts) phenotypes, respectively, were the same in preterm infants of gestational age (GA) 26-36 weeks and term infants (GA 38-41) weeks). There was no correlation between GA and Th/Ts ratio. The relative number Ts was significantly lower in infants than in adult women.