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Serum IgE in healthy infants fed breast milk or cow's milk-based formulas
Insights
Exclusive breast milk feeding may lower immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in infants up to four months. Formula feeding showed intermediate IgE, with differences disappearing after solid food introduction.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Neonatal Nutrition
Background:
- Total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentration is a key marker in early life.
- Infant feeding practices, including breast milk and various formulas, may influence immune development.
- Understanding early life factors affecting IgE is crucial for predicting atopic conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of different infant feeding methods on total serum IgE levels.
- To determine if early feeding practices influence IgE concentrations during the first year of life.
Main Methods:
- Prospective follow-up study of 95 infants from birth to one year.
- Categorization of infants based on feeding: breast milk, home-prepared cow's milk formula, or proprietary infant formula.
- Measurement of total serum IgE concentration at different time points, with solid food introduction at 3.5 months.
Main Results:
- Infants exclusively breastfed had significantly lower total serum IgE concentrations compared to the cow's milk formula group up to four months.
- Infants fed proprietary formulas exhibited intermediate IgE levels.
- No IgE antibodies to cow's milk were detected in formula-fed infants.
- Differences in IgE levels between feeding groups diminished after the introduction of solid foods.
Conclusions:
- Exclusive breastfeeding in early infancy appears to reduce total serum IgE levels.
- Feeding practices during the exclusive milk feeding period may play a role in modulating early IgE production.
- Reference values for total serum IgE in unselected infants and those without atopic manifestations are provided.
Abstract:
A group of ninety-five infants was followed from birth to one year of age, and the total serum IgE concentration was studied. The infants were fed on breast milk, home-prepared cow's milk formula, or proprietary infant milk formula. Solid foods were introduced at 3.5 months of age. The breast milk group had lower IgE than the cow's milk group up to 4 months of age, i.e. until the end of exclusive milk feeding. The formula group had intermediate IgE values. The difference was not due to the presence of IgE antibodies to cow's milk in bottle-fed infants, since no such antibodies could be detected. After the introduction of solid foods the differences between the groups disappeared. Our data suggest that exclusive breast milk feeding can reduce total serum IgE concentration in early infancy. Reference values for unselected infants and for infants with no atopic manifestations are reported.