Effect of Early-Life Exposures on Innate Immunity in Neonates

Newborns, particularly those born prematurely, are an especially vulnerable population at high risk of devastating diseases such as sepsis. To better understand the role of the immune system in the development of these diseases, this thesis longitudinally examined the immune systems of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. We observed immunosuppressive responses during and following early-life infection/inflammation, which may influence infants’ susceptibility to severe diseases like sepsis. Additionally, in preterm infants susceptible to inflammation-induced lung, gut and brain complications, treatment with the anti-inflammatory medication anakinra was associated with reduced inflammation, supporting its use in this vulnerable population.