What provides immunity against diseases through antibodies received from the mother?

Natural immunity refers to the protection against diseases that is conferred when antibodies are transmitted from the mother to her offspring, typically during pregnancy or through breastfeeding. This form of immunity is essential for newborns, as their immune systems are still developing and may not yet be fully capable of producing their own antibodies.

In the case of natural immunity, the mother’s immune system responds to infections and produces antibodies that can cross the placenta or be present in breast milk. This direct transfer helps to provide the infant with immediate protection against pathogens to which the mother has immunity, offering critical defense in the early stages of life.

The other types of immunity have different mechanisms. Adaptive immunity involves the body’s own immune responses developing over time after exposure to antigens. Innate immunity provides the first line of defense through physical barriers and immediate responses to pathogens but does not involve antibodies. Artificial immunity is achieved through medical interventions such as vaccinations, which stimulate the production of antibodies without natural exposure to the disease. Thus, natural immunity is distinct because it directly involves the maternal transfer of antibodies.