title: A review of the innate immune defence of the human foetus and newborn, with the emphasis on antimicrobial peptides.
abstract: At birth, the foetus makes the transition from the uterus to a world full of microbes. The newborn baby needs protection against potential invading pathogens and needs to establish a normal microbiota.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antimicrobial peptides and proteins are key effector molecules of innate immunity and are also important immunomodulators. Their presence in the cells and tissues of the uterus, foetus and the neonate indicates an important role in immunity during pregnancy and in early life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ylva
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kai-Larsen
authors.forename: Gudmundur H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Gudmundsson
authors.forename: Birgitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Agerberth
mesh_terms: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000276:immunology*; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
keywords: Antimicrobial proteins; Defensins; Host defence; LL-37; Neonate