Influence of Maternal Milk on the Neonatal Intestinal Microbiome

Gopalakrishna, Kathyayini P.; Hand, Timothy W.

doi:10.3390/nu12030823

Cited by 106 publications

(95 citation statements)

References 131 publications

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“…In addition, cytokines (including TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, TGF‐β and IL‐1β) and growth factors (including epidermal growth factor and erythropoietin) are some of the bioactive factors transferred via MOM (Figure 1). 9 IL‐1β leads to an innate inflammatory response in enterocytes, with increased pro‐inflammatory IL‐8 and stimulation of the NF‐kB pathway. Breastmilk can attenuate this IL‐1β activation of IL‐8 10 …”

Section: Breastfeeding: Early Influences On Later Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Very preterm infants miss out on transplacental delivery and are almost completely reliant on MOM for delivery of immunoglobulin until endogenous production begins. Secretory IgA (sIgA) has a predominant local mode of action in the gut and is highly effective at binding enteric pathogens and their toxins 9 . MOM is the primary source for sIgA in the first month of life, and this maternally derived sIgA shapes the host‐microbiota relationship of the preterm infant.…”

Section: Breastfeeding: Early Influences On Later Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Maternal breastmilk, infant gut microbiome and the impact on preterm infant health

et al. 2020

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Aim This narrative review summarises the benefits of maternal breastmilk to both the infant and the mother, specifically the benefits that relate to modification of the infant microbiome, and how this might vary in the preterm infant. Methods We used PubMed to primarily identify papers, reviews, case series and editorials published in English until May 2020. Based on this, we report on the components of breastmilk, their associated hypothesised benefits and the implications for clinical practice. Results Breastmilk is recommended as the exclusive diet for newborn infants because it has numerous nutritional and immunological benefits. Additionally, exposure to the maternal breastmilk microbiome may confer a lasting effect on gut health. In the preterm infant, breastmilk is associated with a significant reduction in necrotising enterocolitis, an inflammatory gastrointestinal disease and reduction in other key morbidities, together with improved neurodevelopmental outcomes. Conclusion These impacts have long‐term benefits for the child (and the mother) even after weaning. This benefit is likely due, in part, to modification of the infant gut microbiome by breastmilk microbes and bioactive components, and provide potential areas for research and novel therapies in preterm and other high‐risk infants.

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Section: Breastfeeding: Early Influences On Later Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Breastfeeding: Early Influences On Later Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal breastmilk, infant gut microbiome and the impact on preterm infant health

et al. 2020

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“…Breast milk-derived factors play important roles in this early life immune development (see Section 3 ) but exposure to antigens (e.g., from microbes and from foods) is also important, as is the acquisition of the infant gut microbiota. In turn, this is affected by the birthing process, by contact with maternal skin, by breast milk factors, and by environmental exposures [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Ultimately, if an appropriate combination of immune maturation factors has been present, the infant develops an effective and balanced immune system that affords both protection against pathogens and tolerance of harmless environmental exposures ( Figure 2 ).…”

Section: Immune Development In Humansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LCPUFAs) and the Developing Immune System: A Narrative Review

2021

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The immune system is complex: it involves many cell types and numerous chemical mediators. An immature immune response increases susceptibility to infection, whilst imbalances amongst immune components leading to loss of tolerance can result in immune-mediated diseases including food allergies. Babies are born with an immature immune response. The immune system develops in early life and breast feeding promotes immune maturation and protects against infections and may protect against allergies. The long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are considered to be important components of breast milk. AA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA are also present in the membranes of cells of the immune system and act through multiple interacting mechanisms to influence immune function. The effects of AA and of mediators derived from AA are often different from the effects of the n-3 LCPUFAs (i.e., EPA and DHA) and of mediators derived from them. Studies of supplemental n-3 LCPUFAs in pregnant women show some effects on cord blood immune cells and their responses. These studies also demonstrate reduced sensitisation of infants to egg, reduced risk and severity of atopic dermatitis in the first year of life, and reduced persistent wheeze and asthma at ages 3 to 5 years, especially in children of mothers with low habitual intake of n-3 LCPUFAs. Immune markers in preterm and term infants fed formula with AA and DHA were similar to those in infants fed human milk, whereas those in infants fed formula without LCPUFAs were not. Infants who received formula plus LCPUFAs (both AA and DHA) showed a reduced risk of allergic disease and respiratory illness than infants who received standard formula. Studies in which infants received n-3 LCPUFAs report immune differences from controls that suggest better immune maturation and they show lower risk of allergic disease and respiratory illness over the first years of life. Taken together, these findings suggest that LCPUFAs play a role in immune development that is of clinical significance, particularly with regard to allergic sensitisation and allergic manifestations including wheeze and asthma.

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“…SIgA is the predominant antibody in human colostrum and described to protect offspring from infection when the neonatal immune system is still immature. 112,113 IgA and IgM are not able to cross the placenta through the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) and can therefore only be provided through maternal milk. 114 Breastfeeding is important for the development of the neonatal intestinal microbiota and can protect infants from infectious diseases.…”

Section: Early-life Immunitymentioning

confidence: 99%