Immunodeficiency in the infant: the most important information

A group of reasons leads to weak immunity in an infant, which can be discovered through a group of symptoms, here is the most important information in this article.

Immunodeficiency in the infant: the most important information

From the moment the child is separated from his mother, bacteria and fungi begin to attack him, and his immune system begins to fight these enemies that are trying to invade his body.

Learn the most important information about weak immunity in the infant as follows:

Causes of weak immunity in infants

Immunodeficiency in an infant occurs for several reasons, including the following:

1. Weakened maternal immunity

Antibodies are passed from the mother to the baby through the placenta during the third trimester, the last three months of pregnancy, and this gives the baby some protection when it is born.

The type and amount of antibodies that are transmitted to the child depend on the level of immunity in the mother. When the mother has strong immunity, she will transfer antibodies that are more resistant to diseases and vice versa.

2. Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding plays a key role in the infant’s immunity, as breast milk contains important vitamins and minerals to support the immune system and improve its functions, and therefore artificial feeding can affect the child’s immunity.

3. Not to follow up with the doctor

The mother should take care of following up the child’s health with a specialized doctor so that he can detect any health problem that affects the immune system early.

4. The presence of genetic factors

If one of the parents has immune problems, the infection can be passed on to the child through genetics.

Symptoms of weak immunity in a baby

Immunodeficiency in an infant can be observed through a set of symptoms, the most prominent of which are the following:

1. Frequent infection of the child

Where the child is more susceptible to various health problems, whether bacterial or viral.

Respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases are among the most common diseases in children with weak immunity.

2. Poor growth of the child

Where immune diseases affect his development and thus show signs of weakness, such as: his small size and low weight.

3. Skin problems

A child may develop a rash as a result of an infection that the immune system cannot fight.

Risks of weak immunity in the infant

There are many risks that affect the health of the child due to weak immunity, including the following:

Infection of the child with many diseases: The weaker the immune system, the lower its ability to resist infections that attack the body, and thus the body becomes more susceptible to diseases.

The slow growth of the child: Weak immunity affects the normal growth and development of the child, as bacteria and viruses impede the normal functioning of various body functions, impeding his proper growth.

Prevention and treatment of weak immunity in the infant

Some methods help to enhance the immunity of the infant and prevent it from weakness, and they are as follows:

1. Avoid exposure of the child to the pathogens of infection

It is easy to transmit the infection to the infant from different sources, such as:

Being in crowded and polluted places.

Frequent kissing of the infant from the surrounding people.

Not paying attention to the hygiene of the baby’s hands, especially as he puts his hands in his mouth during this stage.

2. Get basic vaccinations

The mother should take care of giving the child the basic vaccinations from birth, and she can ask the doctor about the vaccinations he needs at each stage to prevent various diseases.

3. Breastfeeding

It is one of the basic things that the child needs to strengthen his immunity, so the mother should take care of feeding her little one from breast milk, which contains many important vitamins and minerals to strengthen his immunity.

4. Pay attention to nutrition

In addition to breastfeeding, the child should be well fed at the beginning of his eating, by giving him the appropriate foods for each age stage, and not giving in to the child’s refusal to eat.

Mashed vegetables and fruits are among the most important foods that can be given to the child to strengthen his immunity.

5. Helping the baby sleep

The baby’s sleep helps strengthen his immune system, so the mother must help the baby go to sleep and create the atmosphere around him to get enough sleep every day.

It is normal for a baby to have irregular sleep in the first months of his life, but some factors can make him sleep better, such as:

feeling full

Not suffering from gas and abdominal pain.

Clean the diaper area regularly.

Stages of development of the infant’s immune system

A baby’s immune system doesn’t develop until about 2-3 months after birth, which means that a two-week-old baby’s immune system can’t fight viruses or bacteria, and it develops until it’s able to fight back at the age of three months.

During these months the mother’s immune system still protects her infant with antibodies that were shared through the placenta before birth, and these antibodies remain active for the first few weeks of the baby’s life.

This provides some protection from bacteria and viruses, and breastfeeding boosts this early immunity.

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