[Neonatal sepsis: bases and possibilities for immunotherapy and immunoprophylaxis. 3: Immunoprophylaxis]

Abstract

This paper reviews several specific and nonspecific procedures for immunoprophylaxis to prevent bacteriological infections in preterm and term newborns. An active or passive immunization is limited necessarily by the wide range of organisms causing neonatal infections. There exist first experiences regarding the prophylactic use of intravenous gammaglobulins for high-risk neonates or pregnant women with symptoms of infection and at risk for preterm delivery. Bacterial polysaccharide vaccines are under development, but up to now far off any universal availability.