All articles tagged with #maternal immunity
A UK study shows that vaccinating pregnant women against RSV results in a 72% decrease in severe RSV hospitalizations in infants by transferring protective antibodies through the placenta, highlighting the importance of increasing vaccination rates among expectant mothers to protect newborns during the winter season.
A new drug being trialled by Novartis in Africa shows promise in treating malaria in newborns, a population that has been largely neglected in clinical trials. Currently, there is no malaria treatment available for babies weighing under 5kg (11lbs). The assumption that maternal immunity protects infants has led to underdiagnosis and delayed treatment, putting newborns at risk of complications and death. The Novartis drug, undergoing stage 3 trials in several African countries, aims to address this gap and provide a potential solution for treating malaria in newborns. Results are expected in early 2024.