Characteristics of Cord Blood Immunologic Parameters of Infants < 32 Weeks Gestation

Sampling methods/Data collection

Samples: Serum (1-2ml) from enrolled infants will be collected from cord blood (T0). Serial samples (0.5-1ml) will be collected at 3 other times: T1= 4-7 days, T2=10-14 days, T3= 20-30 days. These can be drawn at initiation of any sepsis work-up, or prior to any transfusion of PRBC's or when any blood ≥0.5ml will be wasted. These collections are intended to analyze the immunologic milieu in infants at various stages of natal and post-natal immune adaptation:

1. baseline levels from a relatively privileged environment (cord blood T0)
2. peak of immunogenic response after prenatal exposure (T1)
3. plateau of immunogenic response after perinatal exposure (T2)
4. relative state of equilibrium with surrounding flora (T3)

Data collection:

Baseline statistics at enrollment: Birth weight, obstetrical assessment of gestational age, mode of delivery, presence of labor, presence of IAI, ROM, intrapartum antibiotics type and length, With each sampling, data will be gathered via chart review on each infant. We will also gather data at 60 DOL, discharge, or death on any infant enrolled.