title: Maternal antibodies and infant immune responses to vaccines.
abstract: Infants are born with immature immune systems, making it difficult for them to effectively respond to the infectious pathogens encountered shortly after birth. Maternal antibody is actively transported across the placenta and serves to provide protection to the newborn during the first weeks to months of life. However, maternal antibody has been shown repeatedly to inhibit the immune responses of young children to vaccines. The mechanisms for this inhibition are presented and the impact on ultimate immune responses is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Sarah H. Sell and Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair in Pediatrics, Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, 21st Avenue South, S 2323 MCN, Nashville, TN 37232, United States. Electronic address: kathryn.edwards@vanderbilt.edu.
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines
keywords: Inhibition of vaccine responses; Maternal antibody; Transplacental transfer; Vaccine responses