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Updated: Aug 23, 2026
A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis
Published on: August 12, 2020
[Importance of immunoglobulins and nutrition in infections in neonates]
Belkisa Colić-Hadzić1, Husref Tahirović
1Klinika za djecije bolesti, Univerzitetski klinicki centar Tuzla.
Insights
Newborns with low immunoglobulin G (IgG) and artificial nutrition face higher bacterial infection risks. Natural nutrition offers protection, even with lower IgG levels, highlighting its importance for infant immunity.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal immunology
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Maternal socioeconomic factors
Context:
- Bacterial infections pose a significant threat to newborns, particularly during the first month of life.
- Maternal socioeconomic status (SES) during pregnancy can influence infant health outcomes.
- Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in cord blood are a key indicator of passive immunity transfer.
Purpose:
- To estimate serum immunoglobulin levels and assess the impact of nutrition on bacterial infections in newborns.
- To investigate the relationship between maternal SES, cord blood IgG concentrations, and infant infection rates.
- To compare the incidence of bacterial infections in newborns based on their nutrition (natural vs. artificial).
Summary:
- A prospective study of 120 newborns revealed that those born to mothers with poor SES had lower cord blood IgG levels.
- Newborns with low IgG and artificial nutrition experienced significantly higher rates of bacterial infections (p < 0.001).
- Conversely, newborns receiving natural nutrition were protected from severe bacterial infections, irrespective of lower IgG levels.
Impact:
- Findings underscore the critical role of natural nutrition in protecting infants against bacterial infections, even in the presence of suboptimal maternal factors.
- Highlights the importance of monitoring maternal SES and infant nutrition for early intervention against neonatal infections.
- Provides evidence for the protective effects of breastfeeding against common neonatal bacterial pathogens.
Abstract:
The purpose of the study was an estimation of the immunoglobulin serum and the way of nutrition of a new-born child at the beginning of bacterial infections during the first month of life. 120 new-born children (infantiles) of both sexes was prospectively studied, who were born in the Gynecology-obstetrician clinic in Tuzla, in the period from March-May 2000 year. On the base of mothers SES during the pregnancy, new-born children were separated in two groups. Group A was formed of 60 new-born children (32 female and 28 male), mothers had good SES during the pregnancy, and concentration of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) examined from cords blood, from 10.02 to 17.58 g/L (X 14.48 g/L +/- 1.87). Group B was formed of 60 new-born children (27 female and 33 male), with bad mothers SES and with concentration of IgG from 6.80 to 13.01 g/L (X 10.62 g/L +/- 1.49). Immunoglobulins M and immunoglobulins A were negative in both groups of children. During the first month of life it was studied the way of nutrition and health condition of each new-born child. New-born children with bad mothers SES during the pregnancy, with low values of IgG and who were on the artificial food (nutrition), were showing with the significant difference (p < 0.001) in bacterial infections, comparing with the group who had good IgG. The new-born children with natural nutrition, despite the lower concentration of IgG, were protected from severe bacterial infections.
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