INTRODUCTION
Interest in the mechanisms by which the human neonate derives protection against microorganisms has become a major consideration in the prevention and management of neonatal infections. As such, a conference on Host Defenses in the Fetus and Neonate was co-sponsored by the Kroc Foundation and the National Foundation/March of Dimes at the Kroc Foundation's headquarters in the Santa Ynez Valley, California, October 16-19, 1978. This supplement contains the proceedings of the conference.
Extensive discussions followed each presentation, and these have been summarized by the rapporteur for that session. The rapporteurs were: Richard B. Johnston, Jr, MD, Robert C. Seeger, MD, Jane Pitt, MD, Harvey R. Colten, MD, R. Michael Blaese, MD, Rebecca H. Buckley, MD, and Diane Wara, MD.
On behalf of all the participants, we express our profound gratitude to Dr Peter Amacher of the Kroc Foundation for his efforts in ensuring a successful meeting.




