The Effect of Body Mass Index on Post-Vaccination Maternal and Neonatal Pertussis Antibody Levels

The bacterium, Bordatella pertussis, is responsible for pertussis, a highly contagious respiratory infection which most commonly affects young children. Pertussis is particularly dangerous to infants under one year of age who may present with periods of potentially fatal apnea (Cortese et al, 2008). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 48,277 cases of pertussis in 2012 in the United States, the highest reported number of cases since 1955 (CDC, 2012). Infants cannot be vaccinated against pertussis until approximately two months of age and are thus susceptible to pertussis during this time period.
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Source Type: research