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Response to RIT 4237 oral rotavirus vaccine in breast-fed and formula-fed infants
Insights
Breast-feeding did not impede the immune response to the RIT 4237 rotavirus vaccine in infants. This finding supports the use of rotavirus vaccination even in breast-fed infants, crucial for developing nations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rotavirus infection is a leading cause of severe diarrhea in infants globally.
- Effective rotavirus vaccines are critical for reducing infant mortality, especially in developing countries.
- Concerns exist regarding potential interference of maternal antibodies from breast-feeding with vaccine efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of the RIT 4237 rotavirus vaccine in breast-fed infants.
- To determine if breast-feeding affects the immune response to oral rotavirus vaccination.
- To assess the impact of breast milk on rotavirus vaccine "take".
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 26 full-term newborns was followed from birth to 5 months.
- Infants were either exclusively breast-fed or transitioned to formula.
- Rotavirus-specific serum antibodies (total protein, immunoglobulin, IgM) were measured before and after vaccination.
- Growth parameters and nutritional markers were compared between groups.
Main Results:
- Growth and nutritional parameters were comparable between breast-fed and formula-fed infants.
- The immune response to the RIT 4237 rotavirus vaccine was similar in both groups.
- Concomitant breast-feeding did not reduce the vaccine "take" or antibody response.
Conclusions:
- Breast-feeding is likely not a contraindication for RIT 4237 rotavirus vaccination.
- This finding is particularly important for developing countries with high rates of rotavirus-related infant mortality.
- Continued breast-feeding alongside rotavirus vaccination can be recommended.
Abstract:
Twenty-six full-term newborns (15 males and 11 females) were followed-up from birth to 5 months of age. During the first month of life, all of them were breast-fed. Thereafter those infants whose mothers produced enough milk continued breast-feeding (n = 16) while the remaining (n = 10) changed to an adapted milk formula supplying approximately 2 g/kg/day of protein and 100 Kcal/kg/day. At 4 months of life, all infants were vaccinated with one oral dose of RIT 4237 rotavirus vaccine of bovine origin. Before and one month after the vaccination, total protein immunoglobulin and IgM type antibodies against rotavirus were evaluated in serum. Growth, weight, length, head circumference and nutritional serum parameters were comparable in both groups of infants as well as the immune response to the RIT 4237 vaccine. Moreover, the "take" of RIT 4237 oral rotavirus vaccine was not lowered by the concomitant administration of human breast-milk which is known to contain rotavirus antibodies. Therefore, breast-feeding is probably not a contraindication for vaccination with RIT 4237, which is most important in developing countries where rotavirus infection is common in young infants and results in acute diarrhoea often leading to death.