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Prolonged exclusive breast-feeding results in low serum concentrations of immunoglobulin G, A and M
Insights
Exclusively breastfed infants had lower immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgM, IgA) by 9-12 months compared to formula-fed infants. However, these levels normalized after formula introduction, with no increased infection rates observed.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Infant feeding practices significantly impact immune system development.
- Immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM) levels are crucial markers of immune maturation in infants.
- Understanding the long-term effects of breastfeeding versus formula feeding on infant immunity is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of exclusive breastfeeding duration on infant immunoglobulin serum levels.
- To compare immune markers between exclusively breastfed infants and those weaned early to formula.
- To assess the relationship between immunoglobulin levels, prealbumin, iron, and zinc in infants.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study measuring serum IgG, IgA, and IgM in 198 infants at 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months.
- Categorization of infants based on feeding status: exclusively breastfed vs. early formula weaning.
- Analysis of immunoglobulin levels in relation to feeding groups and age.
Main Results:
- Exclusively breastfed infants showed significantly lower IgG and IgM by 9 months, and lower IgA by 12 months, compared to early formula-fed infants.
- These immunoglobulin levels normalized within 2 months after introducing formula to previously exclusively breastfed infants.
- No significant differences in infection rates were observed between the feeding groups.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged exclusive breastfeeding is associated with transiently lower immunoglobulin levels in infants.
- Infant immune markers recover after formula introduction, suggesting adaptive immune responses.
- Feeding practices influence infant immunoglobulin profiles, but do not appear to affect infection susceptibility in the studied groups.
Abstract:
Serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgM were measured in 198 infants at ages 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months. By age 9 months 30 infants were still exclusively breast-fed; their IgG and IgM levels were significantly lower than those of infants weaned early to formula (before age 3.5 months). By 12 months 6 infants were still exclusively breast-fed; their IgA levels were by then also similarly lower. There was no significant difference in the number of infections experienced by these groups of infants. After 2 months on formula feeding, the IgG and IgM levels of the infants who were exclusively breast-fed for 9 months had caught up with the levels of the infants weaned early to formula. Only at 12 months of age prealbumin levels of the exclusively breast-fed infants showed a positive correlation to IgG and IgA levels; no correlation was found between immunoglobulin levels and levels of serum iron and zinc.