The task of the human immune system is to protect the body from harmful microbes. But the infant immunity is still very imperfect and manifests itself in a special way.
Content
What is immunity?
Some functions of the immune system are inherited – This
congenital or nonspecific immunity. The other part comes with
experience in the process of life and is called acquired or
Specific immunity. Special organism cells are capable
remember «incomprehensible» Microbial, «Hang away» against him
«ammunition» and at the next meeting to prevent disease. For example, U
people who have risen cute arises of life acquired
Immunity against this disease.
Approximately the same happens,
When a person is vaccinated: the small doses of pathogens are introduced
Diseases and thus force the body «Production weapons».
At the same time, the disease does not occur, and the cells remember «Poor» Microbial.
The obstacle for most causative agents of infections is external covers
bodies, because through healthy skin can penetrate very small
Number of microbes. But many pathogens are able to implement in
organism through the nasopharynx, light, urinary system and
gastrointestinal. The immune system begins immediately
give them «Reford», and, thanks to her work, most infections
proceeds briefly and practically without consequences. Which of the forms
Immune response will be effective – Depends on the properties «attacker»
Microorganism. Some of the pathogens of microbes, for example, viruses,
penetrate inside host cells, others like many bacteria,
breed in tissues and body cavities. In any case, the problem of immune
Systems – Neutralize and destroy «enemy». Manifests such
«struggle» Usually in the form of inflammation, increase body temperature and even
Pain. All these signs say that a person, or rather, His
Immunity, resist «Aggression».
Reasonable imperfection
Organism
Baby is somewhat different, and his immune system is still different.
The formation of organs and cells of this system begins from the first week
pregnancy, but by the time of birth still remains immature, almost all
Its functions are suppressed. It exposes newborn serious danger
The emergence of infections. It turns out that a person has already been born, but to protect
ourselves are completely unable. «How so? – you ask. – Why
Nature exposes a child to this risk?» Let's turn to biology,
where everything has its meaning. It has long been known that the fruit is developing in the womb
mother in sterile conditions, that is, in complete isolation from any
Alien agents (bacteria, viruses and t. NS.). When baby
born, many pathogenic microorganisms from the environment
simultaneously «attack» on him. If the baby had formed
Immunity, for each «Attack» It would be necessary to answer in many reactions.
Due to the fact that the attackers of the microbes are too much, the immune system
should strain all their strength, raise everything «troops» and could
would be quickly exhausted.
After leaving the sterile medium it
would mean a catastrophe for the body. Therefore, nature is provided
Temporary imperfection of protective mechanisms: response reactions are suppressed.
The immune system of the child matures gradually within hours, months
and years; In the course of life, she meets a variety of
microorganisms learning to separate «Self» from «strangers». Some features
Immunity reaches the norms of an adult by 12 hours after
Birthday, others – Only years later.
First defense
What
the baby must defend themselves from microbes? For the first
Two months of life in the body of the child are special proteins, or
antibodies that penetrated the placenta from the mother and are able to protect
from infections. The number and type of antibodies falling to the child depends on
Maternal immunity. For example, if the mother moved wind oil,
then some of this immunity can pass the newborn. If the mother
never sick with windmill, baby will not be protected from her. This type
immunity is called passive and means that the child's body
Uses ready-made antibodies that have taken him from mother. Two later
months after the birth of the child maternal antibodies start
disintegrate, and your own baby can not yet produce. But
Nature and here took care of babies.
It turns out that these very
Antibodies are in breast milk. With the highest antibodies
Ornate colostrum, which is produced in the first days after the appearance
Toddler on light. In addition, breast milk contains a large number
antimicrobial substances that cover the gastrointestinal tract and
respiratory tract and help prevent «invasion» Microorganisms
through the mucous membrane. Special substances contained in breast
milk, compensate for the immaturity of the immune system of the newborn and
transmit immunity from many serious bacterial (for example,
Pneumococcus, hemophilic stick, meningococcus) and viral (cort,
Windshore OPE) infections. In children on breastfeeding,
Passive immunity is preserved longer. Only from the sixth month of life in
The body of the kid begins to produce their own antibodies, but
Adult norm is achieved only in a few years.
Special cases
There are
situations where the formation of immunity is delayed. For example,
Moved during pregnancy infection, receiving some
medicines in the later timing adversely affect
Development of the immune system of the fetus: all functions are depressed deeper than
Healthy newborns. Accordingly, more time is required for
that the immune system of such children is ripe. Of course, special
attention demands premature children. Their immune system has not yet managed
enough «prepare» intrauterine, and the number of antibodies,
who came from the mother, not as great as the docking babies.
Accordingly, the risk to get sick in premature babies is increased. Exactly
so they are especially important to breastfeed, and as long as possible.
Everything
Babies from the risk group for the development of infections are under the closer
Pediatrician observation. In addition to breastfeeding, such children need
on time and correctly introduce lures, vaccinations are made by
Individual graphics. Apply drugs for such
children should also be very careful – They are necessary only when
An occurrence of illness. With frequent infectious diseases (more than eight
Once every year) the child can be aimed at consulting
immunologist.
There are more serious problems – Congenital
«breakdown» Immune system, or immunodeficiency states. Such
Diseases are inherited and occur too often.
Congenital, or primary, immunodeficiency your doctor – pediatrician – maybe
suspect the first inspection of the baby and carrying out the most banal
surveys and at the right time will send you to consult
immunologist. In immunodeficiency states, as a rule, is assigned
Extensive drug therapy and constant control of immunologist.
