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Lactoferrin concentration in breast milk of mothers of low-birth-weight newborns

Journal of Perinatology volume 37, pages 507–512 (2017)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objectives:

Lactoferrin (LF) is a breast milk glycoprotein with protective effects against neonatal infections, mainly in premature and low-birth-weight (LBW) neonates. The aims of this study were to determine LF concentration in breast milk of mothers of LBW infants during the first 2 months postpartum, and to identify the factors associated with LF concentration.

Study Design:

Prospective study conducted as a part of an ongoing clinical trial in three Neonatal Units in Peru. We included 346 mothers of neonates with a birth weight <2000 g. We measured LF concentration in four stages of lactation using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess the association between maternal and neonatal factors, and LF concentration.

Results:

We collected 695 milk samples. LF mean concentration±standard deviation was 14.92±7.96 mg ml−1 in colostrum (n=277), 10.73±5.67 in transitional milk (n=55), 10.34±6.27 at 1 month (n=259) and 8.52±6.47 at 2 months (n=104). There was a significant difference in LF concentration between different stages of lactation (P<0.001). Mothers with higher LF concentration in colostrum had higher values in the following 2 months. High maternal income and multiple gestation were significantly associated with higher LF levels; in contrast, maternal peripartum infections and male neonatal gender were associated with lower LF levels.

Conclusions:

LF concentration in breast milk of mothers of LBW infants was high and remained elevated even at 1 and 2 months postpartum. LF concentration in colostrum was higher in mothers with higher income and multiple pregnancies, and lower in mothers with peripartum infections.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to all the members of the NEOLACTO Research Group: Rospigliosi M, MD, Borda G, MD, Webb V, MD, Lino A, MD, Cama A, MD, Llanos R, MD, Chumbes O, MD, Cuba, L, MD, Tresierra J, MD, Chincaro C, MD, Alarcon W, MD, Bravo E, MD, Pacheco K, MD, Guillen D, MD, Medina P, MD, Tori A, MD, Rivas M, MD, Campos M, MD, Tucto L, RN, Suarez C, RN, Huanay M, RN and Rojas N, RN. We also want to express our most sincere gratitude to the volunteer mothers, for their participation and commitment to the project. This work was funded by the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD), grant number: R01-HD067694. Clinical Trial Registration: Lactoferrin for Prevention of Sepsis in Infants (NEOLACTO), NCT01525316, web link: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01525316.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru

    C G Turin, A Zea-Vera, M S Rueda, E Mercado, C P Carcamo, J Zegarra, S Bellomo & T J Ochoa

  2. Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru

    J Zegarra & S Bellomo

  3. Hospital Nacional Alberto Sabogal, Lima, Peru

    L Cam

  4. Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara, Lima, Peru

    A Castaneda

  5. Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA

    T J Ochoa

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  1. C G Turin
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Correspondence to C G Turin.

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Turin, C., Zea-Vera, A., Rueda, M. et al. Lactoferrin concentration in breast milk of mothers of low-birth-weight newborns. J Perinatol 37, 507–512 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2016.265

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