Infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among low birth weight (LBW) infants. The aims of our study were: (1) to investigate whether serum antibody concentrations in 62 LBW infants (1,500–2,500 g) were normalized by 1 year of life, and (2) to determine the clinical relevance of humoral immaturity in these children during the 1st year compared to 20 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) term infants. At 1 year of life, immunoglobulin serum concentrations in LBW infants were comparable to those of the control group. The incidence of respiratory tract infections during the 1st year of life was not significantly different between LBW and AGA term infants. Interestingly, we demonstrated that LBW infants with a higher frequency of reported febrile upper respiratory tract infections had more elevated serum total IgG, IgG1, IgG3, total IgA, and IgA1 concentrations. Thus, infants with a birth weight of 1,500–2,500 g do not appear to have an increased risk of respiratory tract infections compared to AGA term children during the 1st year of life. Furthermore, our data suggest that especially febrile infections induce higher serum immunoglobulin concentrations in LBW infants.

Keywords:
Low birth weight infants, Prematurity, Respiratory tract infections, Immunoglobulins
© 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel
2002
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.