PLACENTAL-TRANSFER OF TETANUS TOXOID ANTIBODIES IN NIGERIAN MOTHERS

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the tetanus toxoid immunization programme in Nigeria, specifically the placental transfe r of antibody to newborn Nigerian babies. Tetanus toxoid antibody leve ls were measured in 39 mother-baby pairs in Ibadan, Nigeria and compar ed with 78 British mother-baby pairs. Geometric means of the ratios of cord/mother (sequestration index SI) were 0.776 for Nigerian pairs an d 1.306 for British pairs, indicating a limitation in the placental tr ansfer of tetanus toxoid in the Nigerian population. These findings co nfirm that there is a block in the placental transfer of anti-tetanus toxoid antibodies in African populations which will affect current imm unization programmes and requires further investigation.