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Extremely premature infants
who are immunized against diphtheria, tetanus and other diseases at the
same ages as full-term babies, as recommended by the American Academy
of Pediatrics, appear to remain protected against these diseases during
their early elementary school years.
Previous research suggested
that these infants might exhibit a reduced immune response in later years.
This response wanes over the
first 7 years of life more rapidly than in former full-term infants, but
the premature babies' antibody levels are still okay at 7 years.
Furthermore, the two groups
had similar immunity to pertussis and polio, the report indicates.
"These findings support
the American Academy of Pediatrics' general recommendation to immunize
premature infants in the same way as one would immunize full-term infants,"
D'Angio said.
The fact that premature infants'
antibody levels are still somewhat lower than full-term babies' levels
all the way out to 7 years implies that there may be some important, basic
differences in the immune system if a baby is born early.
Pediatrics
March 2002;109:498-504
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