Paediatric and Neonatal Immunity

The human immune system begins to develop during the early stages of embryonic development. Neonates have a developing immune system that differs from adults as a result of growing up in a semi-allogeneic sterile environment before being exposed to a microbially rich environment, making infants extremely vulnerable to infections. Infections are thought to be the cause of 40% of the 3 million newborn deaths worldwide each year. The immune system, like many other body systems, is not fully functional at birth, putting us at greater risk of infection. At the same time, the process of birth – moving from the sterile environment of the womb to the wider world – exposes us to a variety of pathogens that we have never encountered before and against which we have no immunity. The mother provides passive protection to the child, primarily in the form of antibody, to supplement this period of immunological immaturity and lower the danger of infection. In comparison to adults, the immunological response in children is delayed. The immunosuppressive environment of the womb contributes to this. Speculatively, it could also be an adaptation to early life exposure to high amounts of novel antigens. The immune response is carefully managed to maintain optimal levels of immunity while preventing inflammatory reactions to antigens that are benign or harmless.

• Inborn Errors of Immunity
• Maternal-Foetal New-born Immunity
• SARS CoV-2
• Acquired Immunity
• Vaccines