Antibodies to Gamma Globulin in the Serum of Children and Adults

Abstract

Sera from 200 infants (0 to 6 months of age), 1,282 children (6 months to 16 years), and 1,989 adults, who were outpatients or inpatients of the University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, were tested for the presence of antibodies to gamma globulin as represented by five different anti‐D sera. The frequency of such antibodies (11.3%) was significantly higher in children between six months and five years of age than in older children (4.1%) or adults (6.3%). The frequency of “nonspecific” antibodies against gamma globulin was higher in adults (5.4%) than in children (0.8%). Eighty‐five of 1,282 (6.6%) samples from children had useable antibodies and 18 of 1,989 (0.9%) samples from adults had useable antibodies. There was no correlation between the occurrence of the antibody and sex, diagnosis, or history of transfusion. The data indicate, however, that a correlation with race may exist.