Early oral colostrum administration in preterm infants

Area of Science:

• Neonatal immunology
• Gastroenterology
• Microbiome research

Background:

• Oral colostrum (OC) may offer immune benefits to preterm infants.
• Prior research on OC effects is limited by concurrent enteral feeding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure oral colostrum absorption in preterm infants before enteral feeding.
• Quantify absorption via urinary secretory IgA (sIgA) and lactoferrin levels.

Main Methods:

• Colostrum collected from mothers of infants born at or before 32 weeks gestation or weighing ≤1500g.
• Urinary sIgA and lactoferrin measured; microflora analyzed in saliva and tracheal aspirates.

Main Results:

• Infants receiving OC via syringe showed significantly higher urinary sIgA and lactoferrin than those receiving it via swab (p<0.002).
• Urinary sIgA levels positively correlated with the cumulative dose over 72 hours (R²=43%, p<0.01).

Conclusions:

• Syringe administration and increased cumulative doses of OC enhance sIgA and lactoferrin absorption.
• Early OC dosing may promote a more diverse tracheal microbiome in preterm infants.