Host defense mechanisms of human milk and their relations to enteric infections and necrotizing enterocolitis

Human milk contains components that can mediate protection against symptomatic infection by means of classical and novel mechanisms. It has been demonstrated to protect infants against symptomatic infection by a variety of enteric pathogens. To date, mechanisms involving pathogen-specific sIgA are the best documented; however, roles for nonimmunoglobulin glycoconjugate and anti-inflammatory components may also exist. Based on both laboratory and clinical studies, human milk feeding appears to have protective effects against development of necrotizing enterocolitis.