Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
Innate immunity in human newborn infants: prematurity means more than immaturity
Tobias Strunk1, Andrew Currie, Peter Richmond
1Department of Neonatal Pediatrics, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia. tobiasstrunk@yahoo.de
Insights
Newborn infants, especially premature ones, are highly susceptible to infections due to immature innate immune responses. Understanding these deficiencies is crucial for developing new therapies to protect vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Neonates, particularly preterm infants, exhibit heightened vulnerability to severe infections.
- Infection-related neonatal morbidity and mortality impose significant human and economic burdens.
- The precise mechanisms behind this increased susceptibility in newborns are not fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of innate immune response maturation in human neonates.
- To highlight the clinical relevance of these immune deficiencies.
- To explore potential avenues for therapeutic interventions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on neonatal innate immunity.
- Analysis of data on immune response maturation in newborns and preterm infants.
- Synthesis of findings related to clinical implications and therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- Innate immune responses are critical for early-life protection against infection.
- Emerging evidence indicates deficiencies in innate immune responses in neonates, particularly preterm infants.
- The maturation process of these responses is key to understanding susceptibility.
Conclusions:
- Immature innate immunity significantly contributes to neonatal infection susceptibility.
- Targeting the maturation of innate immune responses offers potential for therapeutic strategies.
- Further research is needed to fully understand and address these immune deficits.
Abstract:
Neonates, particularly those born prematurely, are exquisitely vulnerable to life-threatening infections. This increased susceptibility to infection is maintained into childhood. Despite the considerable human and economic cost of infection-related neonatal morbidity and mortality, the mechanisms underlying this heightened susceptibility are only partly understood. It is increasingly recognised that innate immune responses are key to the protection against infection early in life, and emerging data suggest that such responses are deficient in the newborn and especially in preterm infants. Here we review the current understanding of the maturation of the innate immune response in human neonates highlighting the clinical relevance and possible avenues for therapeutic intervention.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
01:21Introduction to Innate and Adaptive Immunity
Innate immunity is the body's natural, nonspecific defense system that acts quickly to protect against pathogens. It incorporates physical barriers like skin and mucous membranes and cellular elements such as phagocytes and natural killer cells. This part of our immune system provides an immediate,...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
01:21The Nativist Approach