Oxidase activity in cord blood neutrophils: a balance between increased membrane associated cytochrome b558 and deficient cytosolic components.

Introduction: Newborn infants are prone to develop life-threatening pyogenic infections. Alterations in the function of neonatal phagocytes, including the activity of the neutrophil NADPH oxidase, have been suggested as one cause of increased susceptibility to such infections.

Methods: In the present study, comprehensive analysis of NADPH oxidase enzyme system was performed in cord blood neutrophils from vaginally and cesarean section (CS) delivered, healthy, full-term infants.