Anti-infective factors in preterm human colostrum

Area of Science:

• Neonatal immunology
• Human milk oligosaccharides
• Prematurity research

Background:

• Preterm neonates are highly susceptible to infections.
• Human colostrum contains crucial anti-infective factors.
• Limited data exists on anti-infective properties of colostrum from mothers delivering prematurely.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare anti-infective factors in colostrum from mothers delivering preterm versus at term.
• To quantify key immunological components and cellular counts in preterm and term colostrum.

Main Methods:

• Colostrum samples were collected from 25 mothers delivering preterm and 10 delivering at term.
• Quantification of immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG, IgM, lactoferrin, and lysozyme.
• Enumeration of total cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, and neutrophils.

Main Results:

• Preterm colostrum showed significantly higher mean concentrations of IgA, lysozyme, and lactoferrin compared to term colostrum.
• Absolute counts of total cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, and neutrophils were significantly higher in preterm colostrum.
• While IgA was predominant in both groups, its percentage was significantly higher in preterm colostrum.

Conclusions:

• Preterm colostrum possesses enhanced anti-infective properties, including higher levels of key proteins and immune cells.
• These findings suggest a potentially greater benefit of using preterm colostrum for infection-prone preterm neonates.
• The degree of prematurity did not affect protein levels, but severe prematurity correlated with higher cell counts.