Maternally acquired immunities refers to a type of passive immunity that newborn infants receive from their mother's immune system. The IPA phonetic transcription of this phrase would be /məˈtɜrnəli əˈkwaɪərd ɪˈmjuːnɪtiz/. The stresses are on the second syllables of both "maternally" and "acquired," and the first syllable of "immunities." The vowels in "maternally" and "acquired" are pronounced with a schwa sound, while the vowels in "immunities" are pronounced with a long "i" sound. Proper spelling and pronunciation of medical terms is important in the healthcare field to avoid misunderstandings and errors in treatment.
Maternally acquired immunities refer to the transfer of protective substances or immune cells from a mother to her offspring during pregnancy or through breastfeeding. These immunities serve as a defense against infections and diseases that the mother has already encountered and developed an immune response to.
During pregnancy, the mother's antibodies and other immune components can cross the placenta and enter the bloodstream of the developing fetus. This transfer of immunity provides temporary protection for the baby against various infections. After birth, breastfeeding continues to contribute to the transfer of immune factors from the mother to the infant.
Maternally acquired immunities play a crucial role in protecting newborns during their vulnerable early stages of life when their own immune systems are still developing. They help prevent and control infections caused by pathogens that the mother has previously encountered, providing a passive form of immunity.
However, it is important to note that maternally acquired immunities are limited in duration and specificity. Over time, the transferred antibodies and immune cells gradually decrease in the infant's blood, and their effectiveness against specific pathogens wanes. As a result, infants will eventually need to develop their own immune responses through exposure to pathogens or vaccination.
Overall, maternally acquired immunities are a valuable natural defense mechanism that helps protect babies in their early stages of life, providing a bridge until their own immune systems mature.