Immunoglobulin A level in human milk from mothers delivering preterm

Abstract

Little information is available on immunoglobulin content of milk from mothers of preterm babies. In this study we have measured IgA levels in samples from preterm and term mothers during the 1st month postpartum. The concentration of IgA tended to be constant in the preterm group (about 251 mg/dl) while it showed a decreasing trend in the term group (from 212.8 +/- 19.9 to 171.6 +/- 12.8 mg/dl). From day 10 onward IgA levels in preterm milk were significantly higher than in term milk (p less than 0.002). These findings support the idea that premature infants fed their own mothers' milk would benefit from more stable levels of IgA, at a time when their mucosal immune system is poorly developed.

Lactoferrin Levels in Term and Preterm Milk

“…The findings relative to total protein agreed with our previous data [11,18], which showed no differences between term and preterm milk. Previous reports on lactoferrin levels in preterm milk have shown either significantly higher values than in term milk [19] or no differences between them [20].…”

“…As pointed out by Goldman et al [2], the definition of the immune system includes not only direct-acting antimicrobial agents, but also antinflamatory factors and immunomodulators; lactoferrin seems to participate, at least, in the two first categories. Benefits of human milk for preterm infants cannot be explained on the basis of lactoferrin alone; however, the findings of this study, together with our previous report on immunoglobulin A levels [11], support the importance of feeding premature infants with their own mothers' milk, even if an appropriate supplementation is required. It should be taken into account that the delayed development of the immune system in preterm neonates makes them particularly susceptible to infection.…”

“…In a previous paper [11], we found significantly higher IgA levels in preterm milk from the 10th day postpartum onwards. The aim of this study was to contribute to the knowledge of the anti-infective properties of preterm milk, measuring lactoferrin concentrations.…”

Sequential C3 and C4 Levels in Human Milk in Relation to Prematurity and Parity

“…Complement fraction concentrations, especially for C3, are higher in preterm than in term human milk, as described for such other immune molecules as lactoferrin, lysozyme, and IgA (9,14,15). The absence of term-related significant differences in C3 and C4 levels for days 1-4 may probably be explained by interindividual variations at this stage of lactation, which is, indeed, higher in preterm, as already noticed by Anderson (16) and Gross et al (17).…”

Breastfeeding Infants Who Were Extremely Low Birth Weight

“…13,14 These early protective effects of preterm human milk are thought to be related to its immunologic agents. [15][16][17] More recently, Lucas and colleagues reported improved developmental outcome of premature infants who received their mother's milk during their hospitalization in the SCN compared with premature infants who received only formula. 18 Given the immunologic and developmental benefits described in the literature, together with the physiologic benefits we are reporting, we feel it is important to investigate ways to improve these infants' breastfeeding skills and resulting intake.…”