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Human milk banking. Effect of refrigeration on cellular components
Clinical Pediatrics
|January 1, 1981
Summary
Storing human milk at 4°C for 48 hours reduces immune cell viability and concentration, particularly macrophages and neutrophils. However, lymphocyte counts remain stable, and nasogastric tube passage has no further impact.
Area of Science:
- Human milk composition
- Neonatal nutrition
- Immunology
Background:
- Human milk provides crucial immunological factors for neonates.
- Current milk banking practices aim to preserve these factors.
- Understanding the impact of storage on milk's cellular components is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effect of refrigeration and storage duration on human milk cellular viability and concentration.
- To evaluate the impact of nasogastric catheter passage on these parameters.
Main Methods:
- Human milk samples were stored at 4°C for 48 hours.
- Cellular viability, macrophage, neutrophil, and lymphocyte concentrations were measured.
- Samples were analyzed before and after passage through a nasogastric feeding catheter.
Main Results:
- Storage at 4°C for 48 hours significantly reduced overall cellular viability (p < 0.02).
- Macrophage and neutrophil concentrations decreased significantly (p < 0.02), likely due to cell adhesion or lysis.
- Lymphocyte concentration was not significantly affected by storage.
- Nasogastric catheter passage did not further alter cell viability or concentration.
Conclusions:
- Refrigerated storage of human milk for 48 hours leads to significant but not critical alterations in immune cell components.
- While banking enhances availability, it impacts the quantity and quality of milk's resistance factors.
- Further research may optimize milk banking protocols to better preserve cellular integrity.