Effects of human milk fortifier with iron on the bacteriostatic properties of breast milk

Abstract

Addition of iron at this concentration reduces breast milk bacteriostatic action against E. coli.

Antimicrobial Protein and Peptide Concentrations and Activity in Human Breast Milk Consumed by Preterm Infants at Risk of Late-Onset Neonatal Sepsis

“…This study confirms previous findings that breast milk has bacteriostatic effects against some LOS pathogens [ 12 – 14 , 42 ], and extends previous research to show that growth of S. epidermidis , the most commonly isolated LOS pathogen, is inhibited by breast milk and breast milk-concentrations of LF, which can be reversed by exogenous ferric iron. Other investigators have reported significant effects of iron-containing milk fortifier on bacterial growth in similar assays [ 43 ], and Chan et al . [ 42 ] demonstrated that addition of iron to breast milk decreased or removed the antibacterial activity against E. coli , S. agalactiae and S. aureus .…”

Gene Expression Profiles Suggest Iron Transport Pathway in the Lactating Human Epithelial Cell

“…In support of this reasoning, it has also been suggested that LTF, the iron‐binding protein in human milk can protect the infant from infection by depriving iron from pathogenic bacteria (17). The low iron content of LTF may be a protective mechanism to provide a bacteriostatic function (18).…”

The Effect of Nutrition on Immune System Review Paper

“…Lactoferrin is a protein containing iron that has immunological properties, it is found in colostrum and mature mother's milk, this substance inhibits the growth of E. coli and Staphylococcus bacteria by binding the iron that necessary for the growth of these bacteria, in case of addition of iron to the meal food, the lactoferrin becomes saturated and any additional iron in a free state supports the growth of infectious organisms, so children who take iron supplementation are then exposed to infection (14,15).…”