Immunology
-
Immunologically immature neonates suffer the highest incidence of paediatric sepsis. Postnatal immunological maturation is characterized by a relatively hypo-inflammatory immune response. ⋯ Immunological maturational differences likely affect the neonate's ability to mount an appropriate hyper-inflammatory response, a counteractive hypo-inflammatory response, and subsequent return to immune system homeostasis. To better understand the role of the hypo-inflammatory response in paediatric sepsis, we will explore the maturation of the immune system and the effect it may have on the sepsis-induced hypo-inflammatory response.