[Immunization in preterm infants--current knowledge]

Abstract

The immunological system of premature newborns /preterm infants/ is a special challenge for specialists in infectious diseases prevention. The early beginning of immunization in this group is relevant to the necessity of the protection of the premature newborns, who have weaker immunity for infectious diseases than the group of infants born at term. But on the other hand there is justified fear for weaker protection and appearance of unexpected adverse events after immunization in this group of infants. In the review of medical literature covering these problems special attention was paid to the postimmunization response of premature newborns and to the antigens of the following diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, poliomyelitis and pneumococci. Such factors as corticotherapy, blood transfusion or blood products may influence the immunization response. We also assessed the safety of immunisation for this group of high risk infants.