Infection in Premature Infants ✅

Question 1

What kind of infection are premature infants particularly vulnerable to?

Answer 1

• Early-onset

- Nosocomial (hospital-acquired)

Question 2

Why are preterm infants particularly suspectible to infection?

Answer 2

• Lack of maternal IgG antibody transfer across the placenta

- Breach of natural defence barriers

Question 3

What % of the maternal concentration of IgG do fetuses have at 17-22 weeks gestation?

Answer 3

10%

Question 4

What % of the maternal concentration of IgG do fetuses have at 28-32 weeks gestation?

Answer 4

50%

Question 5

What can breach a preterm infants natural defence barriers?

Answer 5

• Central and peripheral lines
• Catheters
• Tubes, including artificial ventilation

Question 6

Is transplacental transfer of antibodies an active or passive process?

Answer 6

Passive

Question 7

What does transplacental transfer of IgG result in by term?

Answer 7

Fetal IgG levels exceed maternal levels

Question 8

What is the importance of breast milk in the immune protection of a neonate?

Answer 8

It is an important source of passive immune protection and rich in IgA

Question 9

Does breast milk contain IgG?

Answer 9

Little

Question 10

When should a preterm infant receive immunisations?

Answer 10

At the same postnatal age as a term baby

Question 11

How is primary protection against infectious diseases at birth provided?

Answer 11

Maternal antibodies

Question 12

What should the timing of vaccination in infants take into account?

Answer 12

• Preterm infants are at higher risk of infection, so don’t want to delay
• Maternal antibodies present at birth can hamper the humeral antibody response of the infant to vaccination