Lysozyme concentration in tears of newborn babies

The concentration of lysozyme in the lacrimal tear of newborn babies was measured by a modification of the lysoplate method. The 47 newborn babies were classified in three groups; 22 normal terms, 11 small-fordates and 14 preterms. The lysozyme concentration was greater in the normal term babies compared with the other two groups and in creased with gestational age and weight of the newborns.