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With the aid of specific monoclonal antibodies, indirect immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry, peripheral blood lymphocyte populations were studied in 12 preeclamptic mothers and compared with those of ten normal patients at term. As well, lymphocyte subsets from newborns of these preeclamptic mothers and ten normal patients at term were studied. Lymphocytes were labelled with murine monoclonal antibodies directed against T cells and subsets of helper cells, suppressor/cytotoxic cells and natural killer cells. Cord blood lymphocytes of neonates from preeclamptic mothers showed a statistically significant reduction of total T cells, helper cells, and natural killer cells as compared to control. A significant reduction in helper/suppressor ratio was also observed. It is hypothesized that the differences in the immune system of the neonates in the preeclamptic group may be due to the stress of intrauterine malnutrition secondary to uteroplacental insufficiency.

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