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State-of-the-Art

Potential of immunomodulatory agents for prevention and treatment of neonatal sepsis

Journal of Perinatology volume 29, pages 79–88 (2009)Cite this article

A Corrigendum to this article was published on 26 June 2009

Abstract

Prevention of neonatal infection-related mortality represents a significant global challenge particularly in the vulnerable premature population. The increased risk of death from sepsis is likely due to the specific immune deficits found in the neonate as compared to the adult. Stimulation of the neonatal immune system to prevent and/or treat infection has been attempted in the past largely without success. In this review, we identify some of the known deficits in the neonatal immune system and their clinical impact, summarize previous attempts at immunomodulation and the outcomes of these interventions, and discuss the potential of novel immunomodulatory therapies to improve neonatal sepsis outcome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    J L Wynn

  2. Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    J Neu

  3. Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    L L Moldawer

  4. Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    O Levy

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  1. J L Wynn
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  2. J Neu
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  3. L L Moldawer
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  4. O Levy
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Correspondence to J L Wynn.

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Wynn, J., Neu, J., Moldawer, L. et al. Potential of immunomodulatory agents for prevention and treatment of neonatal sepsis. J Perinatol 29, 79–88 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2008.132

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2008.132

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