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The Importance of Human Milk for Immunity in Preterm Infants
Erin D Lewis1, Caroline Richard1, Bodil M Larsen2
1Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 8602 112 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada.
Abstract:
The immune system of preterm infants is immature, placing them at increased risk for serious immune-related complications. Human milk provides a variety of immune protective and immune maturation factors that are beneficial to the preterm infant's poorly developed immune system. The most studied immune components in human milk include antimicrobial proteins, maternal leukocytes, immunoglobulins, cytokines and chemokines, oligosaccharides, gangliosides, nucleotides, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. There is growing evidence that these components contribute to the lower incidence of immune-related conditions in the preterm infant. Therefore, provision of these components in human milk, donor milk, or formula may provide immunologic benefits.
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