Neonates have little immunological memory and a developing immune system, which increases their vulnerability to infectious agents. Recent advances in the understanding of neonatal immunity indicate that both innate and adaptive responses are dependent on precursor frequency of lymphocytes, antigenic dose, and mode of exposure. In neonates, the cellular immune system matures rapidly in the first three months of life. Multiple factors influence this maturation process.
In developed countries, asthma incidence by International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) survey was reported as 4- 23%. Epidemiologic studies indicate a significant increase of allergic diseases in neonates over the past decades. The increase in the prevalence cannot be explained solely by genetic factors. Environmental changes and environment-gene interactions are thought to be responsible for this…
