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Clinical studies of lactoferrin in children
Theresa J Ochoa1, Alonso Pezo, Karen Cruz
1Department of Pediatrics, Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Honorio Delgado 430, San Martin de Porras, Lima 33, Perú. Theresa.J.Ochoa@uth.tmc.edu
Insights
Lactoferrin (LF) is safe for children and may protect against infections and neonatal sepsis. Further research into its use for neonatal sepsis could significantly reduce infant mortality worldwide.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Nutritional Science
- Neonatal Care
Background:
- Breastfeeding benefits child health, but insights haven't translated to pediatric care.
- Lactoferrin (LF) is a key component of breast milk with potential health benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical studies on lactoferrin (LF) in children.
- To identify potential pediatric care improvements or areas needing further research regarding LF.
Main Methods:
- Systematic and critical review of published clinical literature.
- Analysis of 19 studies investigating human or bovine LF for various pediatric outcomes.
Main Results:
- Lactoferrin (LF) demonstrated safety across all reviewed studies.
- Efficacy varied, but protection against enteric infections and neonatal sepsis showed promise.
- Studies covered iron metabolism, anemia, fecal flora, infections, immunomodulation, and sepsis.
Conclusions:
- Lactoferrin (LF) is a safe intervention for children.
- LF's protective effects against enteric infections and neonatal sepsis are biologically plausible.
- Further research on LF for neonatal sepsis is critical and could impact low birth weight neonate treatment and global child mortality reduction.
Abstract:
Much has been learned in recent years about the mechanisms by which breastfeeding improves child health and survival. However, there has been little progress in using these insights to improve pediatric care. The aim of this study was to review all clinical studies of lactoferrin (LF) in children in an effort to determine which interventions may improve pediatric care or require further research. We conducted a systematic and critical review of published literature and found 19 clinical studies that have used human or bovine LF for different outcomes: iron metabolisms and anemia (6 studies), fecal flora (5 studies), enteric infections (3 studies), common pediatric illnesses (1 study), immunomodulation (3 studies), and neonatal sepsis (1 study). Although the efficacies have varied in each trial, the main finding of all published studies is the safety of the intervention. Protection against enteric infections and neonatal sepsis are the most likely biologically relevant activities of LF in children. Future studies on neonatal sepsis should answer critically important questions. If the data from these sepsis studies are proven to be correct, it will profoundly affect the treatment of low birth weight neonates and will aid in the reduction of child mortality worldwide.
