Compared with adults, why are infants and children at an increased risk for infection and communicable diseases?
1. The infant has had limited exposure to disease and is losing the passive immunity acquired from maternal antibodies.
2. The infant demonstrates an increased inflammatory response.
3. Cellular immunity is not functional at birth.
4. Infants have an increased risk for infection until they receive their first set of immunizations.
Answer: The infant has had limited exposure to disease and is losing the passive immunity acquired from maternal antibodies.