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Updated: Feb 9, 2026
04:35
Rapid Isolation of Human Breast Milk-Derived Extracellular Vesicles
Published on: November 14, 2025
384
Herpesviruses and breast milk
C Pietrasanta1, B Ghirardi, M F Manca
1NICU, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università di Milano, Milano. lorenza.pugni@mangiagalli.it.
La Pediatria Medica E Chirurgica : Medical and Surgical Pediatrics
|January 10, 2015
Summary
Breast milk can transmit varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV). While VZV may require temporary breastfeeding interruption, CMV poses minimal risk to healthy newborns but requires careful consideration for preterm infants.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Neonatalogy
- Immunology
Background:
- Breast milk is the optimal nutrition for newborns but can transmit viral pathogens.
- Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) are common herpesviruses found in breastfeeding mothers.
- Transmission risks and clinical consequences for infants are significant concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the risks of VZV and CMV transmission via breast milk.
- To discuss clinical outcomes associated with these transmissions.
- To explore potential prevention strategies for maternal-infant viral transmission.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of VZV and CMV transmission through breastfeeding.
- Analysis of clinical consequences in newborns.
- Evaluation of current recommendations and potential interventions.
Main Results:
- Maternal VZV infection may necessitate temporary breastfeeding cessation, but expressed milk remains beneficial.
- CMV transmission via breast milk rarely causes illness in healthy term infants but increases risk in preterm infants.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics advises risk-benefit assessment for breastfeeding CMV-seropositive mothers with low-birth-weight infants.
Conclusions:
- Careful consideration of VZV and CMV transmission risks is crucial for breastfeeding decisions.
- Further clinical trials are needed to evaluate methods for inactivating CMV in breast milk.
- Balancing the benefits of breast milk with infection risks requires evidence-based strategies.
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