Question

Three days ago, a mother delivered her full-term infant who had been identified as having an in utero infection. The infant is receiving antibiotic and phototherapy, and the mother is breast-feeding. Which types of immunoglobulins could most reasonably be expected to predominate in the infant's immune system?

Answer 1

Answer:

IgA, IgM and IgG

Explanation:

Immunoglobulins are antibodies. They're proteins that are fabricated by the immune system after exposure to an antigen (something harmful to your body that causes an immune response). Immunoglobulins, or antibodies, fight off germs, illness, and diseases. They circulate throughout the body and can be found in your blood, sweat, saliva, and even in your breast milk.

A newborn does not yet have a mature immune system and is often unable to mount an effective immune response to combat antigens. Newborns are generally protected by the antibodies they receive through the placenta before birth and through their mother's breastmilk after birth. These antibodies will be the same ones that are circulating in the mother's system, which will include antibodies to the microorganisms in the mother's home environment and other places she frequents. Therefore, babies generally have antibodies to the germs in their own homes.

he baby has some immunoglobulins at birth, but the sheltered intra-uterine existence limits the need for learned immune responses to specific antigens. There are three main immunoglobulins, IgG, IgA and IgM, and of these only IgG is small enough to cross the placental barrier. It affords immunity to specific viral infections. At birth the baby's levels of IgG are equal to or slightly higher than those of the mother. This provides passive immunity during the first few months of life.  

IgM and IgA do not cross the placental barrier but can be manufactured by the fetus. Secretory Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is a special immunoglobulin. It's the main antibody found in breast milk and is considered the most important immunoglobulin in breast milk. IgA is important because it coats and seals the child´s respiratory and intestinal tract to prevent germs from entering the body and the ​bloodstream. The IgA antibodies can protect from a variety of illnesses including those caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.