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Intestinal absorption of IgA in the newborn
Insights
Newborns can absorb Immunoglobulin A (IgA) from colostrum, especially when breastfed. This absorption is crucial for infant immunity during the first few days of life.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatal Nutrition
Background:
- Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is vital for passive immunity in newborns.
- Colostrum, the first breast milk, is rich in IgA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if newborns absorb IgA from colostrum.
- To compare IgA absorption in breastfed versus formula-fed infants.
Main Methods:
- Single radial immunodiffusion was used to quantify IgA levels.
- Two groups of newborns were studied: vaginally delivered, breastfed infants (Group A) and C-section, formula-fed infants (Group B).
Main Results:
- Breastfed infants showed a significant increase in serum IgA from birth to day 3 (p < 0.0001).
- IgA was detectable in 100% of breastfed infants by day 3.
- No IgA was detected in infants fed boiled human milk.
Conclusions:
- Newborns absorb IgA from colostrum at least until the third day of life.
- Breastfeeding facilitates crucial passive immunity transfer in newborns.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to establish whether or not the newborn can absorb IgA from colostrum, using two feeding regimens. Single radial immunodiffusion on commercial Behring plates was used for IgA quantitation. In group A, 30 mature newborn infants born by vaginal delivery and fully breast fed, cord serum IgA concentration was 0.0990 +/- 0.0294 mg/ml (means +/- SEM). IgA was detectable in 9 of 30 infants. On the 3rd day of life, IgA concentration in serum was 0.3610 +/- 0.0194 mg/ml (means +/- SEM). It was detectable in all 30 infants; on the 5th day of life, its concentration was 0.4293 +/- 0.0365 mg/ml (means +/- SEM). In group B, 39 newborn infants born by cesarean section and fed boiled human milk exclusively, IgA was not detected either in cord, or in venous blood on the 3rd and 5th day of life. The rise of serum IgA in breast-fed newborn infants, highly significant from the 1st to the 3rd day of life (p less than 0.0001), and its increase between the 3rd and 5th day, although not significant, was in distinct contrast to the undetectable serum IgA in newborn infants fed boiled human milk. These data strongly suggest that IgA absorption from colostrum occurs at least until the 3rd day of life.