Effect Of Breast Milk Research Articles

The Effect of Breast Milk from Different Lactation Stages on in Vitro Wound Healing.

Objective: Wound healing is a complex and dynamic process essential for restoring tissue integrity and homeostasis. It is thought that breast milk contributes positively to the wound healing process, thanks to the components it contains. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of breast milk on the wound healing process at different lactation stages and to evaluate the underlying mechanism(s). Materials and Methods: The effects of breast milk from different lactation stages (colostrum, transitional, and mature milk) on wound healing were determined by in vitro scratch assay in L929 fibroblast cells. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total oxidant, and antioxidant capacity were used to confirm antioxidant effects. The effect of breast milk on netrin-1 levels in L929 cells was elucidated by ELISA. Results: Breast milk at different lactation stages promoted wound healing. While the wound closure percentage was determined as 48.7% in the control group, this rate was determined to be the highest at 81.6% in the mature milk group (p:0.0002). The free radical scavenging capacity of colostrum, transitional, and mature milk with DPPH was determined as 49.69%, 60.64%, and 80.85%, respectively, depending on the lactation stages. Netrin-1 levels detected by ELISA were determined as 490.1 ± 6.5 pg/mL in the control group, while the lowest level was determined as 376.6 ± 4.5 pg/mL in mature milk (p:0.0003). Conclusions: Breast milk, especially mature milk, promoted wound healing on L929 cells by suppressing netrin-1 levels and scavenging free radicals.

The role of antibiotic exposure and the effects of breastmilk and human milk feeding on the developing infant gut microbiome.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life followed by complementary foods and sustained breastfeeding for at least 2 years, underscoring its pivotal role in reducing infant mortality and preventing various illnesses. This perspective delves into the intricate relationship between breastfeeding practices, early life antibiotic exposure, and infant gut microbiome development, highlighting their profound influence on child health outcomes. Antibiotics are extensively prescribed during pregnancy and childhood, disrupting the microbiome, and are related to increased risks of allergies, obesity, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Breastfeeding is a significant determinant of a healthier gut microbiome, characterized by higher levels of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and lower levels of potential pathogens. Despite widespread recognition of the benefits of breastfeeding, gaps persist in healthcare practices and support mechanisms, exacerbating challenges faced by breastfeeding families. This highlights the pressing need for comprehensive research encompassing breastfeeding behaviors, human milk intake, and their impact on infant health outcomes. Additionally, promoting awareness among healthcare providers and families regarding the detrimental effects of unnecessary formula supplementation could facilitate informed decision-making and bolster exclusive breastfeeding rates. Moreover, donor human milk (DHM) is a promising alternative to formula, potentially mitigating disruptions to the infant gut microbiome after antibiotic exposure. Overall, prioritizing breastfeeding support interventions and bridging research gaps are essential steps towards improving child health outcomes on a global scale.

Immunomodulatory and regenerative potentials of breast milk, prematurity and children’s heart

Recent expansion of fundamental knowledge on the physiology of lactation, and breast milk exosomes, stem cell biology, mother-child interactions from prenatal period to postnatal development requires a progressive, dynamic view from the scientific community and practicing physicians when analyzing known, generally accepted clinical phenomena and patterns (development of the immune system of infants and young children, natural and artificial feeding, features of postnatal development and growth of organs and tissues in children born prematurely). The components of the mother-breast-milk-infant triad are closely related to each other and influence developmental trajectory of the infant. According to modern concepts, breast milk of a nursing woman is a “living, metabolic / endocrine signaling system”, which may be considered an “immune organ” significant for postnatal growth and body programming of a premature baby. A valuable phenomenon of early postnatal development is actively discussed in the special literature, i,e., “microchimerism” caused by breastfeeding which, according to modern concepts, may play a key role in development of immune system and the whole body. Absence of protective (immunomodulatory and regenerative) effects of breast milk from a nursing woman on the spontaneous, uncorrectable impact of adverse factors of prematurity is likely predispose for remodeling and dysfunction of heart in prematurely born children, and, at longer range, in adults. The young children born prematurely show a unique cardiac phenotype characterized by reduced biventricular volume, relatively lower systolic and diastolic function, disproportionate muscle mass gain, clinically manifesting by increased risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and decreased exercise tolerance. Hence, the premature birth may be considered a chronic disease state. Therefore, the natural feeding which provides a natural evolutionarily protective mechanism for the child’s heart should be attributed to the fundamental factors that play a vital role in prevention of cardiovascular diseases in prematurely born children and at later life periods.

Effect of Breast Milk on the Frequency of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Very Low Birth Weight Premature Infants: A Meta-analysis.

Purpose: To analyze the effect of different feeding types on bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very low birth weight preterm infants. Methods: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) were searched for literature related to breastfeeding and BPD, with a search period from their inception to January 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the quality of included studies before analyzing the data using Stata16 and RevMan5.4.1 software. Results: A total of 17 studies were included. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the frequency of BPD between human milk (HM) and donor human milk (DHM) (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.29-1.03, p = 0.07). However, DHM had a significant effect in reducing the frequency of BPD compared to preterm formula (PF) (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.41-0.94, p = 0.02). Exclusive HM also had a significant effect in reducing the frequency of BPD compared to exclusive PF (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.34-0.78, p = 0.002), as well as compared to any PF (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.37-0.88, p = 0.01). Furthermore, mainly (>50%) HM had a significant effect in reducing the frequency of BPD compared to mainly PF (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.55-0.93, p = 0.01). However, there was no statistically significant difference between any HM and exclusive PF (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.62-1.23, p = 0.46). Conclusions: Our study findings suggest that both HM and DHM have a significant protective effect in reducing the frequency of BPD occurrence compared to PF. Furthermore, even when the amount of HM is insufficient, feeding more than 50% of the HM volume still provides a protective effect against the frequency of BPD. Therefore, we recommend feeding infants with more than 50% of HM to harness the protective effect of HM against BPD occurrence.

P-Wave Axis of Schoolchildren Who Were Once Breastfed.

It has been known for decades that breastfeeding leads to a lower risk of asthma, respiratory infections, or metabolic syndrome at school age. In addition, evidence is now accumulating on the influence of breast milk on the shape, volume, or function of the heart and lungs. Within this field of research into the effects of breast milk on the structure of the heart and lungs, we have set out to analyze the differential electrocardiographic characteristics of schoolchildren who were once breastfed. This was an observational cross-sectional study, including 138 children aged 6 or 12 consecutively presenting to a well-child clinic between May and December 2022. The ability to perform reproducible ECG records, the feasibility of weighing and measuring patient, and breastfeeding data collected from birth were used as the inclusion criteria. Using the 40° cut-off value for the mean P-wave axis among schoolchildren, 76% of never-breastfed children in our sample have a P-wave axis in a more vertical position than the mean as compared to 58% of ever-breastfed children (OR: 2.25; 95% CI: 3.13-1.36); there was no other significant difference between infant feeding groups in somatometric characteristics or ECG parameters. We found a significant difference of the mean values of the P-wave axis between never- and ever-breastfed children. Although this report should be approached cautiously, these findings add to the renewed interest in discerning developmental interventions to improve cardiovascular health.

Best for Whom? Heterogeneous Treatment Effects of Breastfeeding on Child Development.

The slogan "Breast is Best" has been popularized by medical organizations and parenting networks to extoll the benefits of breastfeeding, yet the causal effects are widely debated. Our study contributes to the debate by examining whether breastfeeding has differential effects based on the propensity to breastfeed, which is also known as causal effect heterogeneity. Prior studies attempt to isolate the causal effect of breastfeeding by netting out confounding characteristics, but we argue that the effects of breastmilk are unlikely to operate in a vacuum. The social forces that promote or constrain breastfeeding among different populations in American society can also shape its effects. Using rich intergenerational panel data from the NLSY79 Child and Young Adult cohort (n=7902), we evaluate heterogeneous treatment effects in the relationship between breastfeeding and child development from ages 4 to 14 using stratification-multilevel propensity score models. We find that breastfeeding is associated with small benefits for behavioral development, math scores, and academic ability among those with the highest propensities to breastfeed. By contrast, its small benefits for reading comprehension and vocabulary are concentrated among children with the lowest propensities to breastfeed. Our findings suggest that the social process of selection into breastfeeding cannot be fully disentangled from its estimated effects. The social context not only shapes who breastfeeds in American society, but also who benefits most.

Effect of Breastmilk After Congenital Heart Surgery.

Effect of Breastmilk After Congenital Heart Surgery.

Effects of breast milk on Behçet's disease clinical features.

The etiology of Behçet's disease (BD) is not clearly known, however, abnormal activity in T helper (Th) 1, Th 17, and regulatory T cells (Treg) has critical importance in pathogenesis. It has been shown that the intestinal microbiome can be effective in the modulation of these immune abnormalities in BD patients. Breastfeeding increases the maturation of the infant's intestinal permeability by affecting the newborn's immature intestinal microbiome and metagenome. We aimed to examine the effects of breastfeeding on disease related symptoms, organ involvements and course of the disease in BD patients. This study was designed as a cross-sectional study in Ankara City Hospital rheumatology clinic between December 2021 and March 2022. Patients who were diagnosed with BD by meeting the criteria of the 'International Study Group' and whose information we could access by agreeing to participate in the study were enrolled. The mothers of the patients were also contacted and asked whether these patients were breastfed, the duration of breastfeeding, and the mode of birth. Demographic and clinical data of the patients, comorbid diseases, and drugs used for BD were collected from the records in the hospital database. The presence of sacroiliitis in patients was evaluated with sacroiliac X-ray and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which was requested because of low back pain symptoms and only patients with previous sacroiliac imaging for low back pain were included in the study. BD-related organ damage was measured by the Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI) and Behçet's syndrome Overall Damage Index (BODI) scores. : A total of 304 patients were included in the study. The percentage of patients who were reported to have ever breastfed (median duration (IQR): 12(12) months, 33.5% < 6 months, 66.4% ≥ 6 months, and 59.6% ≥ 12 months) is 92%. When the breastfed and nonbreastfed patients were compared, 6.8% of the breastfed patients needed TNF-i against 18.2% of the nonbreastfed patients (p = 0.052). While the rate of having at least one comorbidity was 26.4% for those who were breastfed, this rate was 50% for those who had never been breastfed. When the organ and system involvements of the patients were compared, the incidence of sacroiliitis was statistically significantly higher in the nonbreastfed group (p = 0.025). Patients who were breastfed for less than 6 months were diagnosed with BD at an earlier age than those who were breastfed for more than 6 months, and those who were breastfed for less than 12 months compared to those who were breastfed for more than 12 months (respectively, p = 0.039, p = 0.035). Our results imply that history of breastfeeding may have some positive effects on the course of the disease in BD patients.

Грудное вскармливание: первая ступень на пути к формированию сбалансированного состава кишечной микробиоты как один из способов профилактики некоторых социально значимых заболеваний

The non-systematic literature review describes the mechanisms by which breastfeeding prevents the development of the metabolic syndrome and socially significant diseases associated with it: obesity, diabetes type 2 and atopic diseases. One of the mechanisms of metabolic programming is the effect of breast milk on the development of the infant's intestinal microbiota. Human milk oligosaccharides can stimulate the growth of commensal bacteria. Cytokines, secretory immunoglobulins, leukocytes, lactoferrin and lysozyme can prevent colonization by pathogenic microorganisms and prevent an increase in the permeability of the intestinal barrier, the absorption of bacterial metabolic products, including lipopolysaccharide, and the development of systemic inflammation, including inflammation adipose tissue. Polyunsaturated fatty acids from breast milk prevent adipocyte hypertrophy at an early age and the development of obesity in the adults. Adiponectin prevents insulin resistance, other hormones that are part of breast milk influence the eating habits of children and prevent weight gain in adulthood. The inclusion of breast milk components in artificial mixtures has the potential to prevent the development of many socially significant diseases.

국내 수유부로부터 수집한 모유의 항산화 및 항용혈 효과

To confirm the antioxidant and anti-hemolytic activity in human breast milk (HBM), evaluated DPPH radical scavenging and anti-hemolytic activities against hemolytic strains. As a result of measuring the pH of HBM according to the days after childbirth, the pH of the HBM less than 10 days after childbirth was 6.63±0.26, the longer the lactation period, the lower the pH of breast milk. As a result of measuring the pH of HBM according to the days after childbirth, the pH of HBM less than 10 days after childbirth was 6.63±0.26 and over 30 days after childbirth was 6.45±0.15. These results indicated that the pH of HBM decreases as the days after childbirth increases. In contrast DPPH radical scavenging activity was the highest in HBM of over 30 days after childbirth (63.72±12.24%), that is presumed to be due to the fatty acid content in HBM. As a result of confirming hemolysis of HBM, weak hemolysis was observed in some HBM samples, that are caused to be hemolysis by bacteria produced the hemolysin in HBM. Therefore, result of analyzing the anti-hemolytic effect of HBM against the hemolytic bacteria, the effect of breast milk against the gram-positive S. aureus CCARM 3855 was 66.37±21.36%, gram-negative P. aeruginosa CCARM 0223 was 29.74±9.31%. In addition, HBM samples of the less than 10 days after childbirth showed highest each anti-hemolytic activity against hemolytic strain. Thus, this study can be suggested that it will be basic study for preventing hemolytic disease in newborns.

Effects of Fish Oil (SMOFlipid®) and Olive Oil Lipid (ClinOleic®) on Neonatal Morbidities in Preterm Infants.

Objective:Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is very important for providing optimal nutrition during the critical developmental period of preterm newborns. Thus, there is a need to optimize TPN solutions to reduce morbidities. This study aimed to examine the effects of olive oil (ClinOleic®) and fish oil (SMOFlipid®) therapies on the frequencies of neonatal morbidities.Methods:Premature newborns hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit and receiving TPN for at least 14 days were included in the study. Newborns who were hospitalized and received olive oil-based lipid (ClinOleic®) were included in the olive oil group, and those who received omega-3 containing multi-lipid (SMOFlipid®) were included in the SMOFlipid group.Results:This study enrolled a total of 222 very-low-birth-weight premature newborns. The breastfeeding rate in the olive oil group was significantly lower than that in the SMOFlipid group (p<0.05). The rate of necrotizing entercolitis (NEC) in the olive oil group was significantly higher than that in the SMOFlipid group (p<0.05). The rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in the SMOFlipid group was lower than that in the olive oil group (p<0.05).Conclusions:The rates of BPD and NEC were lower in the fish oil group. In this situation, fish oil therapy may provide protection against the development of BPD and NEC. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether this is caused by lipid therapy or an effect of breast milk.

Breastfeeding Knowledge among a Sample of Women Attending Maternal and Pediatric Hospital of Soran City

Background and objectives: Breastfeeding is the ideal method suited for the physiological andpsychological needs of an infant and the most vital intervention for reducing infant mortality andensuring optimal growth and development of a child. Human breast milk is considered the healthiestform of milk for children and contains essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals during the first sixmonths. The purpose of this study was to find out about breastfeeding knowledge and its relationshipwith women’s socio-demographic characteristics.Methods: A descriptive study was carried out from December 2020 through February 2021, involvinga simple random sample of 100 women who visited the Maternal and Pediatric Hospital in Soran city.Results: This study revealed that the mean age (M ± SD) was 32.15 ± 7.373 and nearly one-third ofwomen were illiterate and in the age group 26-30 years. 76% were housewives and 85% indicatedthat had a normal delivery type. A good knowledge level is shown about different aspects ofbreastfeeding such as the effect of breastfeeding on a baby’s intelligence, the definition of Colostrum,and the effect of breast milk on producing natural immunity. Concerning breastfeeding practice, themajority correctly indicated breastfeeding initiation within one hour after birth and continuity ondemand for up to 2 years. Overall knowledge about breastfeeding was good and no statisticallysignificant association was found between breastfeeding knowledge levels with socio-demographiccharacteristics of age, education level, occupation, parity, and type of delivery.Conclusions: According to study findings overall knowledge about breastfeeding was good and nostatistically significant association was found between breastfeeding knowledge levels and sociodemographic characteristics of participants

Effect of breast milk with or without bacteria on infant gut microbiota

BackgroundThe breast milk microbiome could be a source of infant intestinal microbiota. Several studies have found that some breast milk is extremely low in bacteria or is even sterile. There are limited studies on the effect of milk without bacteria on the infant gut microbiota. The purpose of this study was to investigate the gut microbiota of infants fed with bacterial milk or sterile milk. Meanwhile, we attempted to find the cause of undetectable bacteria in milk.MethodsA total of 17 healthy pregnant women and 17 infants were enrolled in this study. Fecal samples were collected from full-term pregnant women. Milk samples and infant fecal samples were collected on the 14th postnatal day. Breast milk and fecal samples were examined using 16S rRNA sequencing technology. Pregnant women and infants were grouped according to milk with or without bacteria. To compare the differences in gut microbiota and clinical characteristics between groups.ResultsBacteria were detected in 11 breast milk samples, and the bacterial detection rate was 64.7%. Infants fed with bacterial milk showed higher Shannon index and Simpson index (P = 0.020, P = 0.048), and their relative abundance of Lachnospirales, Lachnospiraceae and Eggerthellaceae was markedly higher. In addition, there were more bacterial associations in the co-occurrence network of infants fed with bacterial milk. Pregnant women with sterile and bacterial breast milk showed no significant differences in their clinical characteristics, and microbial composition and diversity.ConclusionsSome breast milk from healthy postpartum women failed to be sequenced due to low microbial DNA quantities or is sterile. Research is needed to explore the reasons for this phenomenon. Infants fed with bacterial milk had higher Alpha diversity and more complex microbiota networks. These findings provide novel insight into milk microbiota and infant gut microbiota.

Measurement of Cellular Immune Function of Breast Milk and Health Education of Pregnant and Lying in Women

Breast milk is different from any nutritional substitutes. Breast milk has biological specificity. The most irreplaceable nutrient for newborns is breast milk. In order to determine the immunoprotective effect of breast milk on newborns, 30 primiparas were selected to obtain a little milk before feeding in three different periods, which were divided into colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk. The contents of CD3, CD4, CD8, SlgA, IgG and IgM positive cells in nuclear cells were observed by inverted fluorescence microscope. The contents of IL-8, IFN - γ, and potassium, sodium, chlorine, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus in different time periods were compared between six groups. The results showed that the content of IFN - γ cells in colostrum was 1.61 and that of IL-8 cells was 0.83. However, the contents of IFN - γ cells and IL-8 cells in colostrum decreased to 0.31 and 0.36 at the time of transition milk. Therefore, breastfeeding from the third to the fifth day after delivery can give more immune cells to the newborn, which is conducive to the establishment of their own immune system. Therefore, in the teaching of health-related knowledge to pregnant women, we should advocate more maternal breastfeeding newborns, for the health of the newborn.

The Effect of Breast Milk on the Gastrointestinal System and Microbial Diversity

Anne sütü, tam beslenme sağlama yeteneği ve birçok biyoaktif sağlık faktörü nedeniyle yeni doğan bebekler için optimum beslenme rejimi olarak kabul edilmektedir. Anne sütü ile beslenme, mama ile beslenen bebeklere göre daha iyi bir bebek sağlığı ve bağışıklık gelişimi, daha az gastrointestinal hastalık insidansı ve daha düşük ölüm oranları ile ilişkilendirilmektedir. Anne sütü, büyümekte olan bebek için temel besin içeriği sağlamanın yanı sıra, yapısındaki oligosakkaritler ile patojenik bakteriyel yapışmayı önlemekte ve yararlı mikroorganizmaların bağırsakta kolonileşmesini teşvik etmektedir. Başlangıçta anne sütü steril bir sıvı ve izole edilen mikroorganizmalar kontaminant olarak kabul edilirken, günümüzde anne sütünün artık benzersiz bir mikrobiyoma sahip olduğu kabul edilmektedir. Yapılan çalışmalarda insan sütünden türetilen bu suşların, potansiyel probiyotikler olduğu kabul edilebilmektedir. Probiyotik bakteriler patojen bakterilerin aktivitesini engelleyerek kolon başta olmak üzere dolaylı olarak insan sağlığını olumlu yönde etkileyen mikroorganizmalardır. Bu derleme, probiyotik gelişime odaklanarak anne sütü mikrobiyotasının mikrobiyal bileşimini ve anne sütü ve formül mama ile beslenen bebeklerdeki mikrobiyal çeşitliğin kıyaslanması amaçlamaktadır. Ayrıca elde edilen mikrobiyal farklılıkların pek çok hastalıkla ilişkisini ortaya koymayı hedeflemektedir.

Immunity, breast milk and infant formula: finding the optimal balance

Mother's milk is a unique product for children in the first and second year of life. In addition to the components that provide the energy needs of the baby, breast milk contains many biologically active compounds, microorganisms, stem cells that influence the maturation of organs and systems, including the immune system. Even in the most advanced artificial formula, it is impossible to replicate the composition and effects of breast milk completely. Nevertheless, it is possible to introduce some components into the formula that have a positive effect on the developing immune system. These include fat components, in particular long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and -palmitate, nucleotides, the most valuable of which are adenosine, guanine, uridine, cytidine and inosine monophosphates, oligosaccharides, probiotics, macro- and microelements. Goat's milk is an attractive natural product for the production of quality infant formula. Enriching milk formulas based on goat's milk with components with immunomodulatory functions homologous to those of breast milk makes it possible to significantly reduce the adverse effects of artificial feeding of infants, as well as to achieve a positive immunomodulatory effect. Kabrita adapted goat milk formula contains all the beneficial natural components of goat milk, adapted by the manufacturer according to the protein, fat, carbohydrate, micro- and macronutrient composition, with the addition of probiotic complex BB-12 and lipid complex DigestX.

Breast milk and infant formula milk for the prevention of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in premature infants

IntroductionA relationship was found between the use of breast milk and infant formula milk and a decrease in the incidence and number of clinical complications caused by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.Objectives To assess the efficacy and safety of breast milk and infant formula milk in terms of reducing of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, the level of morbidity, the severity of damage to brain structures, the time before switching to full-fledged enteral nutrition and the frequency of detecting feeding intolerance in premature infants.MethodsProspective observation of the development of 254 premature babies were treated up to six months of corrected age at the Department of Neurology of Early Growth in 2016-2018. The effect of breast milk and formula milk on neurological status was compared.ResultsIn comparison, breast milk and formula milk didn’t show any effect on the frequency of severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (p &lt;0,05), the severity of brain damage(р &lt;0,01). Breast milk showed a statistically significant effect in terms of reducing the average number before switching to full enteral nutrition (p &lt;0,01).Conclusions Breast milk and formula milk does not affect the frequency of development of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, the severity of brain damage. Breast milk significantly reduces the frequency of feeding intolerance, accelerates the transition to enteral nutrition, reduces the duration of hospitalization in premature infants.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Предпосылки разработки новой смеси для вскармливания здоровых детей с комплексом пребиотических олигосахаридов scGOS/lcFOS, 3’GL и постбиотиками

Breast milk is the best nutrition for an infant. When breastfeeding is not possible, it is critical to choose an infant milk formula that functionally resembles breast milk effects. The current strategy in the industry of human milk substitutes is aimed at modulating gut microbiota via functional components of the «biotic» family (pre-, pro-, syn-, postbiotics). The most scientific interest lies in the area of numerous prebiotic oligosaccharides of human milk (HMOs). It is possible to combine several prebiotic oligosaccharides with different structures and mechanisms of action in infant formula designed to reproduce the compound effects of HMOs. In this regard, the best studied scGOS/lcFOS (9:1) receive more and more evidence of the efficiency and synergistic action with other prebiotic oligosaccharides. The special class of functional components – postbiotics – was described due to recent discoveries in milk base fermentation process. One of the most promising among them is 3’-galactosyllactose (3’-GL). 3’-GL is produced by bacteria during the fermentation process and it is structurally identical to 3’-GL, which is naturally found in colostrum, transitional and mature breast milk. The first results of in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated the safety and good tolerance, as well as promising local and systemic effects of a formula with 3’-GL, and especially in combination with the scGOS/lcFOS prebiotics (9:1) Key words: human milk substitutes, formula, human milk oligosaccharides, microbiota, biotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, 3’-GL, 3-galactosyllactose

Comparison of Types of Breast Milk Fortification at Discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Breast Milk Feeding Rates and Growth at 4 Months Corrected Age.

Background: Effects of breast milk (BM) enhancement on long-term BM feeding in preterm infants discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have not been examined previously. This study compares any BM feeding rates at 4 months corrected age (CA) in preterm infants discharged from the NICU on BM enhancement by fortification of expressed BM with infant formula additives (BM-F) versus BM supplemented with infant formula feeds (BM-S). Subjects and Methods: We compared infants born between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017, with gestational age <32 weeks or birth weight <1500 g, discharged home on BM-F or BM-S from two NICUs and followed at 4 months CA. Multivariate logistic regression with propensity scoring estimated the adjusted associations between nutrition at discharge and any BM feeding at 4 months CA. Results: Two hundred eighty-five infants were followed at 4 months CA. Infants discharged on BM-F were more likely to have mothers with multiple gestation, private insurance and not Caucasian, initiate feeds of human milk, be discharged from NICU-1, and receive any BM at 4 months CA (p < 0.03). No significant difference in growth parameters <10th percentile at 4 months CA was observed between the two groups. After adjusting for confounding factors, discharge from the NICU on BM-F was significantly associated with BM feeding at 4 months CA (odds ratio: 3.89, 95% confidence interval 1.66-9.14, p = 0.002). Conclusion: In this observational study, preterm infants receiving BM fortified with formula powder additives at discharge from the NICU had better BM feeding outcomes without poor growth at 4 months CA relative to those infants receiving BM supplemented with infant formula feeds.

Urinary Intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Protein “IFABP” as a Marker for Gut Maturation in Preterm Babies

Objective: Formula-fed premature babies have a higher incidence of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) than breast-fed babies which may be caused by breast milk induced gut maturation. The effect of breast milk on maturation of the gut has been widely studied in animal models and recently in humans. The Aim of this Study: Is to evaluate the effects of breast-feeding on maturation of the intestine in premature babies by measuring the postnatal values of a specific enterocyte marker which is urinary intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP). Method: Maturation of the gut was studied in 60 premature babies(&lt;37 weeks of gestation) without gastrointestinal morbidity. 30 of them were exclusively breast-fed and the other 30 were formula-fed. Urinary I-FABP levels as the measure of gut maturation were measured at 7th, 12th, and 22 nd post-natal days. Results: In breast-fed babies, there was a statistically significant increase in urinary I-FABP levels between 7 th and 12 th days after birth compared with formula-fed babies (p&lt;0.01) Conclusions: The pattern of postnatal changes in urinary I-FABP levels suggests a delayed physiological response causing significantly delayed gut maturation in formula-fed babies compared with breast-fed ones.