115 cases of enucleated eyes in the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, are reviewed. Trauma 36, Glaucoma 28, tumours and suspected tumours 24 and Infection 17 are the main causes. Trauma caused mainly by sticks, stones and sharp Instruments Is largely confined to the age group below 30. Primary narrow angle glaucoma accounts for 5 cases. The main types of secondary glaucomas are due to aphakia (12) and a hypermature lens (7) . Two thirds of the tumours are retinoblastomas and this Is the commonest cause of removal below the age of 5 years. There are 4 cases 01 malignant melanoma, all are Chinese. The average age Incidence Is 43 years, which appears to be a decade earlier than in the Caucasians. Preventive measures especially In regards to trauma and glaucoma are discussed.
Immunoglobulin G, A and M levels were determined in paired maternal and cord sera of premature, full term and postmature newborns of urban dwelling Chinese, Indian, Malay and full term newborn of the forest dwelling Orang Asli (Malaysian aborigines). The mean serum IgC level in the full term Orang Asli newborns (1254±441 mg per 100 mil is comparable to that of the Indians (1211±282 mg per 100 ml) and Malays (1169±286 mg per 100 ml) but these levels are higher than those of the Chinese
newborns (1092±270 mg per 100 ml). Statistical analysis indicates a significant dependence of cord serum IgG level on maternal serum IgG level in the . Chinese, Indians and Malays. In addition, in Indians the cord serum IgG was significantly dependent at 5% level on the gestation age. The fetomaternal serum IgG level ratios at term were equal to or just less than one. The cord serum IgM levels of the Chinese, Indian, Malay and Orang Asli newborns at term were 11.6.±. 6.5, 12.5.±. 7.3, 10.9.±. 5.8 and
16.7±6.9 mg per 100 ml respectively. Statistical analysis showed absence of correlation between cord serum IgM level and birthweight, gestation age or maternal serum IgM level in Chinese and Malays. In Indians the cord sera IgM level showed a dependence on the birthweight. Immunoglobulin A was present in 34.6%, 40.5%, 31.6% and 62.5% of full term Chinese, Indian, Malay and Orang Asli newborns respectively. These observations are discussed in relation to the immunoglobulin levels observed in populations residing in temperate and other tropical regions.
MeSH terms: China/ethnology; Female; Hospitals, University; Humans; Immunoglobulins/analysis*; India/ethnology; Malaysia; Malaysia/ethnology; Pregnancy*; European Continental Ancestry Group*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group*