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Can lactoferrin prevent neonatal sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis?
Mohan Venkatesh1, Steven Abrams
1Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, Texas Children's Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. mohanv@bcm.edu
Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy
|June 3, 2009
Summary
Lactoferrin shows promise in preventing neonatal sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis by reducing inflammation and combating antibiotic resistance. Further trials are needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness in premature infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal medicine
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Neonatal sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis cause significant mortality and morbidity despite antimicrobial use.
- Rising antibiotic resistance and inflammation exacerbate poor outcomes in neonates.
- Novel strategies are required to address inflammation and curb antibiotic resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate lactoferrin as a potential therapeutic agent for preventing neonatal sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis.
- To assess lactoferrin's immunomodulatory and antimicrobial properties in the context of neonatal intestinal diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on lactoferrin's properties.
- Analysis of animal models demonstrating lactoferrin's anti-inflammatory effects in colitis.
- Reference to an ongoing randomized controlled trial investigating lactoferrin for late-onset sepsis prevention in premature neonates.
Main Results:
- Lactoferrin exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities.
- Animal studies indicate lactoferrin reduces inflammatory injury in colitis models.
- Lactoferrin promotes intestinal cell proliferation and differentiation.
Conclusions:
- Lactoferrin is a promising candidate for preventing neonatal sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis.
- Further research is essential to validate lactoferrin's safety, tolerability, and efficacy in clinical settings.
- Targeting inflammation and antibiotic resistance with agents like lactoferrin is a critical area for neonatal care.
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