Lactoferrin concentration in breast milk of mothers of low-birth-weight newborns

Abstract

Objectives Lactoferrin (LF) is a breast milk glycoprotein with protective effects against neonatal infections, mainly in premature and low-birth-weight (LBW) neonates. The aims of this study were to determine LF concentration in breast milk of mothers of LBW infants during the first two months postpartum, and to identify the factors associated with LF concentration. Study Design Prospective study conducted as a part of an ongoing clinical trial in three Neonatal Units in Peru. We included 346 mothers of neonates with a birth weight <2000g. We measured LF concentration in four stages of lactation using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess the association between maternal and neonatal factors, and LF concentration. Results We collected 695 milk samples. LF mean concentration ± standard deviation was 14.92±7.96 mg/mL in colostrum (n=277), 10.73±5.67 in transitional milk (n=55), 10.34±6.27 at 1 month (n=259), and 8.52±6.47 at 2 months (n=104). There was a significant difference in LF concentration between different stages of lactation (p<0.001). Mothers with higher LF concentration in colostrum had higher values in the following two months. High maternal income and multiple gestation were significantly associated with higher LF levels; in contrast, maternal peri-partum infections and male neonatal gender were associated with lower LF levels. Conclusions LF concentration in breast milk of mothers of LBW infants was high and remained elevated even at 1 and 2 months postpartum. LF concentration in colostrum was higher in mothers with higher income and multiple pregnancies, and lower in mothers with peri-partum infections.

The importance of the study of lactoferrin and soluble antigen of leukocytes -2 in human breast milk for prediction of hypogalactia

“…Наибольший его уровень определяется в молоке [8], что позволяет считать ЛФ показателем лактационной функции. Наши результаты подтверждаются данными о зависимости концентраций ЛФ от стадий лактации: в молозиве его намного больше, чем в переходном и зрелом молоке [9].…”

Is Mother’s Own Milk Lactoferrin Intake Associated with Reduced Neonatal Sepsis, Necrotizing Enterocolitis, and Death?

“…The study failed to demonstrate a significant effect on the reduction of sepsis [17]. As part of the trial, we obtained breastmilk samples to measure human LF concentrations [18].…”

Colostrum and breast milk in the neonatal period. The benefits keep adding up

“…This is the case of lactoferrin, whose concentration is much higher in colostrum than in BM, and in the BM from mothers of preterm infants than in those of full-term babies. 2,3 Colostrum's higher level of lactoferrin, together with other protective factors, account for its extraordinary relevance in the clinical course of small preterm infants.…”