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Immunity, inflammation and infection in post-partum breast and formula feeders
Maureen Wimberly Groer1, Mitzi W Davis, Kathlene Smith
1University of Tennessee College of Nursing, 1200 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA. mgroer@utk.edu
Problem:
Little is known about immunological recovery in post-partum women and if lactational status affects immunocompetence. Many physiological changes occur, such as uterine involution and recovery of non-pregnant immune status. These changes may also affect susceptibility to disease.
Method:
The study compared immune and inflammatory activation markers (serum cytokines, Epstein Barr viral antibody titer, neopterin, c-reactive protein (CRP), lymphocyte subset percentages, ex vivo cytokine production, lymphocyte proliferation, salivary Immunoglubulin A (sIgA) in exclusively breastfeeding (EB) and exclusively formula feeding (EF) women at 4-6 weeks post-partum, and control (C) women.
Results:
EBs had higher ratios of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)/interleukin-10 (IL-10) than EFs, and post-partums were higher than Cs. Both IFN-gamma and IL-10 were significantly higher in post-partums compared to controls. Post-partums also had higher proinflammatory cytokines, CRP and neopterin, salivary IgA and fewer infection symptoms. There were also differences in lymphocyte subsets.
Conclusions:
The post-partum period is oriented towards heightened and activated innate and specific immune defenses, with breastfeeding providing a boost in these phenomena.
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