Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation
09:02

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation

Published on: February 15, 2018

Breastfeeding: a potential protective factor against ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection in young infants

Farideh Nejat1, Parvin Tajik, Syed Mohammad Ghodsi

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Medical Center, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Tehran, Iran. nejat@sina.tums.ac.ir

Journal of Neurosurgery. Pediatrics
|March 21, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Breastfeeding may protect infants with ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts from infection. Exclusive breastfeeding showed a trend toward lower shunt infection rates in the first six months of life.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric surgery
  • Infectious disease prevention
  • Neonatal nutrition

Background:

  • Human milk contains protective factors against various infant infections.
  • The impact of breastfeeding on ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infections in infants remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between breastfeeding and the risk of VP shunt infection in infants.
  • To determine if exclusive breastfeeding offers protection against shunt infections.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study of 127 infants with hydrocephalus undergoing VP shunt placement within the first six months of life.
  • Infants were categorized by feeding method: exclusively breastfed (EBF), combination formula and breast milk (CFBF), or exclusively formula-fed (EFF).
  • Follow-up for shunt infection occurred within six months post-operation, with statistical survival analysis used.

Main Results:

  • The 6-month risk of shunt infection was 8.5% in EBF, 16.5% in CFBF, and 26.0% in EFF groups.
  • A significant trend (p=0.035) indicated that increased breastfeeding correlated with a lower risk of shunt infection.
  • This trend persisted after adjusting for confounding variables (HR=2.01).

Conclusions:

  • Breastfeeding, particularly exclusive breastfeeding, appears to have a protective effect against VP shunt infections in infants.
  • A dose-response relationship exists: higher intake of human milk is associated with lower shunt infection incidence.
  • Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for infants with VP shunts during the first six months of life.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers09:36

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers

Published on: July 28, 2022

Isolation of Leukocytes from Human Breast Milk for Use in an Antibody-dependent Cellular Phagocytosis Assay of HIV Targets08:12

Isolation of Leukocytes from Human Breast Milk for Use in an Antibody-dependent Cellular Phagocytosis Assay of HIV Targets

Published on: September 6, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Parental Care00:55

Parental Care

Many animals exhibit parental care behavior, including feeding, grooming, and protecting young offspring. Parental care is universal in mammals and birds, which often have young that are born relatively helpless. Several species of insects and fish, as well as some amphibians, also care for their young.