lactoferrin and Birth-Weight

Lactoferrin as a nutritional enteral supplement has emerged as a novel preventative therapy against serious infections in preterm infants, although neonatal studies have demonstrated variable results, in part due to the lack of pharmacokinetic data and differences in the products tested. We conducted a prospective, dose escalation (100, 200, and 300 mg·kg

Topics: Animals; Birth Weight; Cattle; Dietary Supplements; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Lactoferrin; Prospective Studies; Urinary Tract Infections

The aim was to measure concentrations of four neutrophil-derived proteins in meconium as biomarkers describing prenatal environment.. Calprotectin, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase and PMN-elastase concentrations were measured using ELISA kits in serial meconium portions (n = 81) from 20 healthy neonates.. The highest concentration was for calprotectin (286.5 ± 214.6 µg/g) with a positive correlation (r = 0.75, p < 0.0001) with myeloperoxidase (1.81 ± 1.72 µg/g). For PMN-elastase (1.70 ± 2.69 µg/g) a negative correlation was observed with calprotectin and myeloperoxidase (r = -0.51, p < 0.0001; r = -0.60, p < 0.0001, respectively). Concentration of lactoferrin (45.07 ± 78.53 µg/g) correlated only with that of myeloperoxidese (r = 0.36, p = 0.0009).. Calprotectin, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase and PMN-elastase concentrations in meconium are interrelated. These proteins may serve as objective biomarkers describing and/or assessing the intrauterine environment.

Topics: Adult; Biomarkers; Birth Weight; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Inflammation; Lactoferrin; Leukocyte Elastase; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; Male; Meconium; Neutrophils; Peroxidase

The appropriate level of iron fortification in infant formula remains undetermined.. We compared hematologic indexes and iron-status indicators in infants who were either breast-fed or fed formula with concentrations of 2 or 4 mg Fe/L and evaluated the effects of providing part of the iron as bovine lactoferrin and of adding nucleotides.. Healthy term infants were exclusively breast-fed (n = 16) or fed formula (n = 10-12) from age 4 +/- 2 wk to 6 mo. Anthropometric measures were taken monthly, and blood samples were taken at 1, 4, and 6 mo. Hematologic indexes; indicators of iron, zinc, and copper status; and erythrocyte fatty acids were assessed.. No significant differences in hematology or iron status were observed between groups at 4 and 6 mo of age. Although 34% of all infants had a hemoglobin concentration <110 g/L at 6 mo, the absence of iron deficiency or defective erythropoiesis suggests that this hemoglobin cutoff is too high for this age group. Neither the source or the concentration of iron in formula nor fortification with nucleotides had any significant effect on serum zinc or copper, and nucleotide fortification did not affect erythrocyte fatty acids.. A concentration of 1.6 mg Fe/L formula meets the iron requirement of healthy term infants aged

Topics: Animals; Birth Weight; Body Height; Breast Feeding; Cattle; Erythrocyte Indices; Erythrocyte Membrane; Fatty Acids; Ferritins; Humans; Infant; Infant Food; Infant, Newborn; Iron; Iron, Dietary; Lactoferrin; Nucleotides; Nutritional Status; Protein Binding; Receptors, Transferrin

During the last few years, advances in the care of low-birth-weight and preterm neonates has stimulated research on the best dietetic program to improve survival and to reduce handicap incidence. At present, fortification of human milk with artificial formulas is the most usual dietetic solution. As yet, however, little is known about the composition of milk from mothers giving birth prematurely. The aim of this study was the quantification of different proteins in human milk during the lactation period. By use of an electrophoretic method, lactoferrin (LF), alpha-lactalbumin, beta-casein, and lysozyme concentrations were measured in milk from mothers delivering normally (TM) or prematurely (PM). LF concentration in milk from TM presented higher values in the very first days and a fast decrease to d 10. After d 10, the concentration reached a plateau. In milk from PM, the LF concentration in the first days was lower than for TM. Similar profiles of alpha-lactalbumin, beta-casein, and lysozyme concentrations were found in milk from TM and PM. A general higher variability in PM samples was observed both between different mothers and for the same woman during the lactation period. Lactation profiles for four human milk proteins are described here. No significant difference was observed (apart from LF in the very first days) between preterm and term milk samples, confirming the unsuitability of unfortified breast milk for preterm neonates.

Topics: Birth Weight; Caseins; Colostrum; Diet; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Lactalbumin; Lactation; Lactoferrin; Milk Proteins; Milk, Human; Muramidase; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Pregnancy; Time Factors

The concentrations of total protein, secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA), lactotransferrin (LTF) and serum albumin (SA) were measured in sequential samples of colostrum, transitional and mature milk from 53 mothers divided into four groups according to gestational age and birthweight of their infants. Individual proteins were determined by single radial immunodiffusion. From the covariance analysis of data controlling for the day of lactation and the milk volume it was found that these covariables were significantly negative correlated with total protein and IgA. The concentration of LTF was also significantly negative correlated with the day but positively with the volume; whereas the contrary occurs for SA although the correlation was not significant for the volume. Differences in the total protein and IgA contents have been found among the mothers. The LTF content varied among the groups. Mean protein contents did not change in a similar way in all groups during lactation. Preterm milk maintained a more constant level of proteins.

Topics: Birth Weight; Colostrum; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Small for Gestational Age; Lactation; Lactoferrin; Milk Proteins; Milk, Human; Pregnancy; Serum Albumin