Neonatal passive immunization by maternal vaccination.

An old concept--passively immunizing a fetus by actively immunizing (vaccinating) its mother--is reevaluated in light of 50 years of data. The history and data reviewed here suggest that this concept is one whose time has come for active modern research and clinical use. In Third World countries, this concept already has provided significant reduction in morbidity and mortality from neonatal infections such as tetanus. Some other neonatal and infant infections--heretofore life-threatening--may now have a practical method for prevention. These include group B beta-streptococcal sepsis and Hemophilus influenzae meningitis.