Quote:
Originally Posted by Tower
So, a 2 month baby (that has no immune system, new born babies get their antibodies from the mothers breast milk) gets the same amount as a 200 lbs man.
|
Gaahhhh! Wrong again
Quote:
Development of the Immune Response
Normal infants have the capability to develop responses to antigens at birth. Infants also start life with some immunoglobulin antibodies acquired from the mother. These antibodies cross the placental barrier, but not all types are transmitted equally. In particular, infants start with antibodies to viruses and gram-positive organisms, but not to gram-negative organisms. Gram is the name of a stain that distinguishes broad classes of bacteria. Gram-negative organisms are responsible for many diseases, including gonorrhea, pertussis (whooping cough), salmonella poisoning, and cholera. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is another common gram-negative organism.
Immunoglobulin antibodies are divided into five classes. The capacity of the body to produce each immunoglobulin varies with age. Newborn babies (premature and full-term) begin to synthesize antibodies at an increased rate soon after birth in response to antigenic stimulation of their new environment. At about six days after birth the serum concentration of specific antibodies rises sharply, and this rise continues until adult levels are achieved by approximately the end of the first year. Maternal immunity gradually disappears during the first six to eight months of life. A concentrated level of antibodies is reached and maintained by seven to eight years of age.
http://www.answers.com/topic/immune-system-development
(First source from google, but I can find a more scholarly one or reference my immunology books if you like)
|
This is why the 1st vaccinations start at 2 months, against common childhood illness caused by gram + and viruses. The heavier and more complex vaccinations occur later in life
Also, all drugs are required to have a list of ingredients for the public to see. You can go to Merck or any drug company website, and find the drug information data that is required for all drugs to be licensed. This includes Thiomersal. This also includes dosage information. With basic research skills, you can read that the dosage for a child and a 200lb man are different