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Association between Total Antioxidant Capacity in Breast Milk and Postnatal Age in Days in Premature Infants

Shoichi Ezaki1, Tomoo Ito, Keiji Suzuki

  • 1Division of Neonatal Medicine, Center for Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, 1981 Kamoda-Tujido, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-8550, Japan.

Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition
|April 4, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Breast milk offers superior antioxidant protection for premature infants compared to formula. Early breastfeeding is crucial for combating oxidative stress in vulnerable newborns.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Nutrition
  • Biochemistry
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Premature infants are susceptible to oxidative stress due to immature antioxidant systems.
  • Oxidative stress can lead to serious complications in preterm neonates.
  • Breast milk is known to contain various bioactive components, including antioxidants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of breast milk versus formula milk for premature infants.
  • To investigate the relationship between TAC in breast milk and the infant's postnatal age.
  • To highlight the role of breast milk in mitigating oxidative stress in preterm neonates.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the biological anti-oxidant potential (BAP) test, a novel method for TAC measurement.
  • Collected and stored breast milk samples from premature infants at -20°C.
  • Measured TAC in two types of commercially available formula milk using the same methodology.

Main Results:

  • Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was significantly higher in breast milk compared to formula milk.
  • A negative correlation was observed between breast milk TAC and postnatal age.
  • Despite the correlation, breast milk TAC consistently exceeded the average TAC found in formula milk.

Conclusions:

  • Breast milk possesses a higher total antioxidant capacity than formula milk, offering crucial protection against oxidative stress for premature infants.
  • Early initiation of breastfeeding is recommended to leverage these protective antioxidant properties.
  • The findings underscore the importance of breast milk in the neonatal intensive care setting.

Keywords:
breast milkpremature infanttotal antioxidant capacity

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