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The developing immune system – from foetus to toddler
Author(s) -
Ygberg Sofia,
Nilsson Anna
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02494.x
Subject(s) - immune system , medicine , fetus , toddler , abortion , acquired immune system , immunology , pregnancy , physiology , developmental psychology , biology , psychology , genetics
Abstract During foetal development, neonatal period and childhood, the immune system is constantly maturing. In the foetus, infection responsiveness is low and associates with spontaneous abortion. During the neonatal period, the infection response shifts towards a more pro‐inflammatory response. The immune system of the newborn acquires adaptive features as a result of exposure to microbes. Conclusion: The development of the human immune system is a continuous process where both accelerated and retarded development is deleterious.