Measurements of serum C3 levels by the single radial immunodiffusion method using Helena plates were done in 41 patients with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis and in 25 healthy children. In 28 patients the sequential determination were done until returning the level above normal range. The mean value of serum C3 concentration in this group as a who1e was lower than in the control group and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The initial reduction of serum C3 concentration did not correlate with the severity of the acute phase of the disease. In those children with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, serum C3 concentration returned to normal within six weeks.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Complement 3/analysis* ; Complement 3/deficiency ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis/etiology ; Glomerulonephritis/immunology* ; Human ; Male ; Streptococcal Infections/complications ; Streptococcal Infections/immunology*