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Passive immunity of premature infants against measles during early infancy
1Department of Pediatrics, Cerrahpaşa University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Premature infants born to mothers with measles immunity have lower antibody levels and lose protection faster than full-term infants. This increased susceptibility highlights the need for protective strategies for vulnerable newborns.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Maternal antibodies provide crucial early immunity to newborns.
- Premature infants may have altered immune development and antibody transfer.
- Understanding antibody persistence in premature infants is vital for infection prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess measles-specific IgG antibody levels and seronegativity rates in premature infants with infection-induced maternal immunity.
- To compare antibody persistence in premature infants (<32 weeks and >32 weeks gestation) versus term infants.
- To evaluate the susceptibility of premature infants to measles infection in early infancy.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for qualitative detection of measles virus IgG antibodies.
- Analysis of cord blood and infant blood samples at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.
- Comparison of seronegativity rates between premature infants (two groups based on gestational age) and term infants.
Main Results:
- Premature infants showed significantly lower mean cord blood antibody levels compared to term infants.
- No premature infants were seronegative at 2 months.
- By 6 months, seronegativity rates were high in premature infants (86% and 74%) and 46% in term infants, with significant differences observed.
Conclusions:
- Premature infants, irrespective of gestational age, exhibit faster waning of maternal measles antibodies.
- Premature infants are likely more susceptible to measles infection by 6 months of age.
- Further investigation into protective policies for premature infants against measles is warranted.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of transferred measles antibodies and seronegativity rates during early infancy in premature newborns whose mothers had infection-induced immunity. The premature group was composed of 22 and 35 newborns of gestational ages < 32 wk and > 32 wk, respectively, and the control group consisted of 28 term newborns. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the qualitative detection of IgG antibodies to measles virus. Mean cord blood relative values were significantly lower in both premature groups, < or = 32 wk (p < 0.0001) and > 32 wk (p < 0.001), when compared with term infants. No seronegative infant was found in the premature group at 2 mo of age. At 4 mo, the seronegativity rate was 27% for premature infants < or = 32 wk and 35% for those > 32 wk. At 6 mo, seronegativity increased to 86% and 74% for premature infants born at gestational ages < or = 32 wk and > 32 wk, respectively. Forty-six percent of the term infants became seronegative at that age. The differences between term infants and those in the two premature groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005). Premature infants, regardless of their prematurity degree, were thought to be more susceptible to measles infection than term ones at the age of 6 mo. Policies for their protection from measles infection are still to be investigated.