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Breast feeding modifies production of SIgA cow's milk-antibodies in infants
H Renz1, C Brehler, S Petzoldt
1Children's Hospital, Marburg, Germany.
Insights
Breastfeeding modifies salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) production against cow's milk proteins in infants. Breast-fed infants show lower SIgA levels compared to those fed cow's milk formula.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition
Background:
- Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) plays a crucial role in mucosal immunity.
- Infant feeding practices, including breastfeeding and formula feeding, can influence immune system development.
- Cow's milk proteins are common allergens in infants, potentially triggering immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of breastfeeding on salivary SIgA production against cow's milk proteins (casein and beta-lactoglobulin) in healthy newborns.
- To compare SIgA levels in infants with different allergy risks and feeding patterns.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 158 healthy newborns was divided into three allergy risk groups.
- Saliva samples were collected at birth, 3 months, and 6 months.
- Salivary SIgA (sIgA) concentrations against casein and beta-lactoglobulin were quantified using direct ELISA.
Main Results:
- Salivary SIgA concentrations were highest at birth and decreased over time.
- Breastfed infants exhibited lower salivary SIgA anti-casein levels compared to formula-fed infants at 3 months (p<0.01).
- This effect was observed even with short breastfeeding durations (≥3 weeks).
- At 6 months, non-risk infants fed exclusively cow's milk formula had higher SIgA anti-casein and anti-beta-lactoglobulin than low-risk infants.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding significantly modifies salivary SIgA production in response to cow's milk proteins.
- Early life feeding practices influence the development of immune responses to dietary antigens.
- Further research is warranted to understand the long-term implications of these findings on allergy development.
Abstract:
One hundred and fifty-eight healthy mature newborns were divided into 3 groups according to their risk of allergy: Group A, no risk (n = 62), group B, low risk (n = 30) and Group C, high risk (n = 66). Saliva was collected at birth and after 3 and 6 months. SIgA anti-casein and anti-beta-lactoglobulin were determined by a direct ELISA technique. The highest concentrations of secretory antibodies were measured after birth. After 3 months, breast fed infants had lower salivary SIgA anti-casein concentrations than the group receiving cow's milk (p less than 0.01). The effect of breast-feeding was seen even after a nursing period of only 3 weeks. Infants without risk of allergy fed cow's milk exclusively had higher SIgA anti-casein (p less than 0.03) and anti-beta-lactoglobulin concentrations than low risk infants at the age of 6 months. These data show a modifying effect of breast feeding on salivary SIgA production against cow's milk protein.