Is repeated infection of mycoplasma in children caused by low immunity?

Are children who are repeatedly infected with mycoplasma due to low immunity?

Children are in the process of growth and development, and their immune physiological conditions are significantly different from those of adults, and they also vary at different age groups. Traditionally, it is believed that children, especially newborns and immature children, are in an immature stage, and some of their immune defense functions are also significantly low. In fact, the immune organs and immune cells are already mature at birth, and their low immune response ability is more likely due to the "inexperience" of the immune system. That is, although the components of their immune system are complete, they have never been exposed to antigens before, so they have not been able to establish an immune memory response.

Therefore, we do not expect 2-3 year old children to think and live like adults, and we cannot expect children's immune systems to resist bacteria and viruses like adults. Children's immune systems need to learn to grow. They can defend against some diseases through vaccinations, and they can also strengthen their antigen immune memory ability through contact with different pathogens in life, thereby achieving "improving immunity". The so-called knowing yourself and the enemy, you will never be defeated in a hundred battles. Just like we live in a healthy community, it needs doctors, teachers, police, firefighters and other professionals from all walks of life to maintain it together, so that we can have a greater sense of comfort and happiness.

The immune system is similar. Through gradual learning, some parts develop into doctors (targeting this type of antigen), and some parts develop into teachers (targeting that type of antigen). Finally, each performs its own function and forms a powerful social group (targeting various antigens).

Many times, inappropriate in vitro tests based on adults suggest that the neonatal period has increased susceptibility to infection, but this has not been confirmed in vivo. Therefore, such data do not truly reflect all situations. In fact, a full-term newborn born from a healthy mother and who receives breast milk from her own mother is able to resist most infections.

At this point, parents understand the relationship between colds and immunity. Even repeated respiratory infections such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae may be a necessary step in the process of children's immune system gradually improving. Don't label your children casually and say that your children have low immunity.

(Xu Xiaolin, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University)