Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
04:16
Individualized Reconstitution of Human Milk Microbiota: A Feasible Approach in Real-World Settings
Published on: February 7, 2025
Human milk, a concrete risk for infection?
M Lanari1, P Sogno Valin, F Natale
1Paediatric Department, S. Maria della Scaletta General Hospital, Imola, Bologna, Italy. m.lanari@ausl.imola.bo.it
Summary
Breastfeeding offers significant health benefits for infants and mothers. Contraindications are rare, and risks of transmission during breastfeeding are usually outweighed by benefits, enabling informed decisions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infant Nutrition
- Maternal Health
Background:
- Breastfeeding is recommended as the standard for infant feeding up to six months and beyond.
- Numerous studies confirm improved infant and maternal health outcomes.
- Preterm infants particularly benefit from reduced risks of severe retinopathy of prematurity, sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review contraindications for breastfeeding during maternal infections.
- To discuss transmission routes of pathogens from mother to infant during breastfeeding.
- To inform decision-making regarding infant feeding when maternal infection is present.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on breastfeeding and maternal infections.
- Analysis of pathogen transmission routes (respiratory, direct contact, breast milk).
- Evaluation of risks versus benefits of breastfeeding in specific maternal infectious conditions.
Main Results:
- Breastfeeding is rarely contraindicated, even with maternal infections.
- Transmission can occur via respiratory secretions, direct contact with lesions, or breast milk.
- Exceptions include Human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in industrialized nations.
Conclusions:
- The theoretical risk of pathogen transmission via breast milk must be weighed against the benefits of breastfeeding.
- Mothers and parents can make informed decisions by discussing risks and benefits.
- Breastfeeding should be supported as a public health priority.
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