Enhancement of Immunity and Health in Neonates and Infants

Abstract

Immunity is protective mechanism of the body against infection, diseases, and cancers. The stronger the immunity is the healthier we are. With increasing environmental change worldwide, increase of new emerging diseases and infection over last few decades, it has become imperative to move toward prevention more than the treatment. The immune mechanism in pediatric population especially neonates and infants is much different than adults and is yet evolving. The development of immunity starts in utero and is dependent on several factors. The various efforts to improve immunity and health should start from antenatal period focusing on overall health and nutrition of mother. Maternal nutrition, antenatal steroids, and delayed cord clamping are helpful in decreasing various neonatal morbidities which include respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, and mortality. After birth during initial 6 months, exclusive breastfeeding, growth monitoring, primary immunization, developmentally supportive care, and care of infections are of utmost importance. After 6 months of age, a balanced approach toward introduction of complementary feeding, care of micronutrients, optimal environment, and inclusion of immunity enhancing foods in diet may have considerable benefits.

A Review: The Effect of Bovine Colostrum on Immunity in People of All Ages

“…Mammalian newborns are unable to chew and digest solid food, so their only way to survive is through breastfeeding. In general, infants have poor immunity at 0~6 months of age, because they have not yet established a complete immune system, so the demand for nutrients is high, and the immune system begins to gradually improve after 6 months [80,81], and the food exposed to by the mother during pregnancy will affect the mother's intestinal flora and further determine the adaptive immunity of the newborn [82]. Figure 2 shows the changes in immunity in the first 1000 days of life, and it is not difficult to see that the immunity of infants before 6 months of age is very fragile, which will lead to the infants being very dependent on breast milk for immune and nutritional support.…”

“…Figure 3 summarizes the changes in immunity at various stages of the human process from birth to ageing, as well as the health needs in immunocompromised periods. In general, infants have poor immunity at 0~6 months of age and are completely dependent on breast milk or nutritional fortifiers to take in a large number of nutrients needed for immune construction, and the immune system begins to gradually improve after 6 months [80,81]. However, with increasing age, immunity begins to decline dramatically [128].…”

“…Changes in immunity in the first 100 days of life. (Because the maternal placenta and breast milk can provide the baby with immunoglobulins, there is little illness before 6 months; after 6 months, the immunoglobulin is at its lowest point, and the autoimmune globulin level is still very low, so supplementing with oral active immunoglobulin is key; figure drawing is based on[79][80][81]100]).…”

Effect of Massage on Post-Operative Pain and Narcotic Administration in Infants with Congenital Heart Disease

“…It improves circulation, increases blood flow and tissue oxygenation, and stimulates the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain relievers. (17,18) Significance of the study: In recent years, there has been a focus on complementary therapies to treat or relieve pain. These treatments are simple, inexpensive, and feature many non-invasive techniques with fewer side effects compared to drugs.…”