365 low birth weight infants have been born inour Obstetric Department in the past two years. Aretrospective investigation of their morthers' con-ditions during pregnancy and delivery which had aneffect on their babies weight was done. The resultsshowed that incidence of low birth weight infantswas 7. 99% and mortality rate was 15. 07%. The care.X~2 test indicated that hypertention syndrome ofpregnancy and anemia which the mothers sufferedfrom were the main diseases which affected birthweight of infants. The analysis of multiple stepwiseregression showed that the most dangerous factorswere peasant mothers, premature and neonate ab-normity. So we must strengthen perinatal healthcare.

BACKGROUNDTo provide a simple, specific and early serodiagnostic technique for the patients with aseptic meningitis caused by echovirus.

METHODSAn indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed to detect echovirus-IgM and the specificity and availability of the assay were also examined.

RESULTSIn 78 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens which came from the children with aseptic meningitis, the positive rate was 17.9(14/78). In 64 CSF collected from non-aseptic meningitis (bacterial meningitis and cerebral trauma), the positive rate was 1.56(1/64). In 5 CSF specimens which were ELISA positive, the positive rate of neutralization test (NT) was 4/5, all the specimens which were ELISA negative were NT negative. In this assay there was no cross-reaction with poliovirus, Coxsackie virus B type 1-6 and A type 7. By blocking and destructive test of specific IgM, all CSF specimens with ELISA positive became negative.

CONCLUSIONSThe established indirect ELISA was specific and reliable. The te st was quick, simple and available, which is suitable for early and specific clinical diagnosis, and will be greatly significant to clinical treatment.

Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Echovirus Infections ; diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Meningitis, Aseptic ; diagnosis ; virology