Lactoferrin intake from maternal milk during the neonatal hospitalization and early brain development among preterm infants.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lactoferrin is an immuno-modulatory nutrient in human milk that may be neuroprotective.

Methods

In 36 infants born <32 weeks' gestation, we sampled human milk at 14 and 28 days of chronologic age and measured lactoferrin by electrochemiluminescence multiplex immunoassay. Using 3T quantitative brain magnetic resonance imaging scans obtained at term equivalent, we estimated total and regional brain volumes. We compared outcomes between infants exposed to low (bottom tertile, range 0.06-0.13 mg/mL) vs. high (top tertile, range 0.22-0.35 mg/mL) lactoferrin using median regression in models adjusted for gestational age, birth weight z-score, sex, and postmenstrual age.

Results

Compared to infants exposed to low lactoferrin, infants exposed to high lactoferrin ha

SUBMITTER: Atayde AMP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12863460 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature