What type of immunity is obtained from maternal antibodies?

Maternal antibodies provide passive immunity, which is characterized by the transfer of pre-formed antibodies from one individual to another. In this case, antibodies are passed from the mother to the baby, either through the placenta during pregnancy or through breast milk after birth. This type of immunity offers immediate protection against pathogens that the mother has previously been exposed to and can last for several months in the infant.

This protection is crucial, especially during the early months of life when the infant's immune system is still developing and may not yet produce its own specific antibodies effectively. Passive immunity is distinct from active immunity, where an individual’s own immune system generates antibodies in response to an infection or vaccination; it does not require direct exposure to the pathogen.

Innate immunity refers to the body's first line of defense, comprised of non-specific physical and chemical barriers as well as immune responses that occur immediately or within minutes, rather than through the transfer of antibodies. Autoimmunity involves the immune system mistakenly attacking the body's own cells, leading to autoimmune diseases, which is unrelated to the transfer of maternal antibodies. Thus, in the context of the question, passive immunity is the correct choice.