Abstract

Serum immunoglobulins G, A, and M were estimated in 29 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and their first-degree relatives. 6 newborn sibs had high IgM levels in cord blood. IgG and IgM were raised in the mothers' sera and there was a significant decrease in the serum IgG of sibs aged 2 to 10 years. The findings suggest the presence of some antigenic stimulus, possibly a virus, in the intrauterine life of affected sibships. It is postulated that the immunoglobulin abnormalities may be related pathogenetically to the leukaemic process.