Immune function? A missing link in the gender disparity in preterm neonatal outcomes.
Expert Rev Clin Immunol
; 13(11): 1061-1071, 2017 11.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28972799
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
In neonatology, males exhibit a more severe disease course and poorer prognosis in many pathological states when compared to females. Perinatal brain injury, respiratory morbidity, and sepsis, among other complications, preferentially affect males. Preterm neonates (born <37 weeks gestation) display a particularly marked sexual disparity in pathology, especially at the borders of viability. The sex biases in preterm neonatal outcomes and underlying multifactorial mechanisms have been incompletely explored. Sex-specific clinical phenomena may be partially explained by intrinsic differences in immune function. The distinct immune system of preterm neonates renders this patient population vulnerable, and it is increasingly important to consider biological sex in disease processes and to strive for improved outcomes for both sexes. Areas covered We discuss the cellular responses and molecular intermediates in immune function which are strongly dependent on sex-specific factors such as the genetic and hormonal milieu of premature birth and consider novel findings in a clinical context. Expert commentary The role of immune function in the manifestation of sex-specific disease manifestations and outcomes in preterm neonates is a critical prognostic variable. Further mechanistic elucidation will yield valuable translational and clinical information of disease processes in preterm neonates which may be harnessed for modulation.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Lesiones Encefálicas
/
Factores Sexuales
/
Sepsis
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Nacimiento Prematuro
/
Inmunidad
/
Enfermedades del Recién Nacido
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Límite:
Female
/
Humans
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Male
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Newborn
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Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Expert Rev Clin Immunol
Asunto de la revista:
ALERGIA E IMUNOLOGIA
Año:
2017
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Irlanda