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Vaccine response was higher in formula-fed infants compared to breastfed but not affected by lactoferrin or iron in a
Maria Björmsjö1, Nina Ekström2, Sven Arne Silfverdal1
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Pediatrics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Insights
Reduced iron infant formula with bovine lactoferrin did not significantly alter antibody responses to routine immunizations. However, infants fed low-iron formula showed higher Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) antibody levels at 12 months.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Infant formula composition, particularly iron content and additives like bovine lactoferrin, may influence immune development.
- Understanding the impact of formula modifications on antibody response is crucial for infant health and vaccination efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of reduced iron content and added bovine lactoferrin in infant formula on antibody levels following standard immunizations.
- To compare immune responses in formula-fed infants with varying formula compositions and a breastfed reference group.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 180 formula-fed infants (6 weeks to 6 months) assigned to low-iron formula with or without bovine lactoferrin, or a control formula (8 mg/L iron).
- A breastfed reference group (n=72) was included for comparison.
- Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), diphtheria, and tetanus were measured at 4, 6, and 12 months of age.
Main Results:
- Infants fed low-iron formula exhibited significantly higher geometric mean Hib IgG levels at 12 months compared to those on control formula.
- No significant differences in IgG levels were observed for diphtheria and tetanus vaccines across formula groups.
- Breastfed infants unexpectedly showed significantly lower IgG levels for all three vaccines at 6 and 12 months compared to formula-fed infants.
Conclusions:
- Reduced iron content in infant formula may enhance antibody response to Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine.
- Bovine lactoferrin supplementation in low-iron formula did not significantly alter vaccine-specific IgG responses.
- The lower antibody levels in breastfed infants warrant further investigation into factors influencing immune responses in early life.
Aim:
To examine how reduced iron content and added bovine lactoferrin in infant formula affect the antibody response following routine immunisation.
Methods:
In this randomised controlled trial, 180 Swedish formula-fed infants received, from 6 weeks to 6 months of age, a 2 mg/L iron formula with (n = 72) or without (n = 72) bovine lactoferrin, or a control formula with 8 mg/L iron and no lactoferrin (n = 36). Another 72 infants were recruited as a breastfed reference. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), diphtheria and tetanus were assessed at four, six and 12 months of age.
Results:
With an equal gender distribution, 180 + 72 term infants were included with a mean age of 7.0 ± 0.7 weeks. At 12 months, infants fed low iron formula showed a significantly higher geometric mean Hib IgG (1.40 μg/mL [1.07-1.83]) compared to the control formula infants (0.67 μg/mL [0.42-1.07]). For all three vaccines, breastfed infants had significantly lower IgG levels at six and 12 months of age.
Conclusion:
Except for higher Hib IgG levels at 12 months in infants fed low iron formula, the interventions did not affect vaccine IgG response. Unexpectedly, breastfed infants had significantly lower vaccine IgG levels compared to formula-fed infants.
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