A Comparative Analysis of Feeding Practices and Oral Immunity in Infants

Area of Science:

• Oral microbiology
• Infant immunology
• Pediatric health

Background:

• Infant feeding practices significantly influence oral microbiome development and immune responses.
• Breastfeeding promotes beneficial bacteria and oral health, whereas formula feeding may increase pathogenic bacteria and inflammation risk.
• Understanding these effects is crucial for infant oral health management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of breastfeeding versus formula feeding on oral bacterial growth.
• To assess the effects on oral epithelial cell integrity and interleukin-17 (IL-17) expression in infants.
• To compare oral health markers between breastfed and formula-fed infants aged 1-12 months.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 60 infants (30 breastfed, 30 formula-fed) from the Qassim region.
• Quantified oral bacteria using colony-forming units (CFUs) and assessed epithelial morphology via microscopy.
• Measured oral IL-17 concentrations using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and performed statistical analyses.

Main Results:

• Formula-fed infants had significantly higher IL-17 levels, indicating increased inflammation (p < 0.001).
• Breastfed infants showed improved epithelial health, lower inflammation, and reduced debris compared to formula-fed infants.
• Higher bacterial loads were observed in formula-fed infants, correlating with compromised epithelial integrity.

Conclusions:

• Formula feeding is associated with elevated IL-17, increased bacterial colonization, and impaired epithelial integrity, suggesting a pro-inflammatory state.
• Breastfeeding demonstrates protective effects, promoting a balanced oral microbiome and robust epithelial health.
• Findings emphasize the immunological and microbial advantages of breastfeeding for infant oral well-being.