Human milk anti-infective factors

Both heat treatment and freezing destroy some of the anti-infective factors in human milk the balance between bacterial, viral and immunological factors must be weighed carefully before unpasteurised donor milk (expressed breast milk, EBM) is fed to preterm, low birth weight or ill infants. 

In the UK, it is recommended that infants who are not breast fed are fed modified milks until at least 6 months of age. These contain less solute, protein, sodium, calcium and phosphorus than cows milk. The Codex Alimentarius lays down international standards for infant feeds Some modified milks are based on demineralised whey and milk to reduce the protein content and change the whey casein ratio examples are given in Table 1. This provides an amino acid composition more closely resembling that of human milk but does not overcome the problem that beta-lactoglobulin and other cows milk proteins are introduced and the anti-infective factors provided by human milk are absent. 

Human milk is a s)mergistic package of essential nutrients and bioactive components. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that consumption is associated with health benefits for many immune-related conditions (Table 2.1). Breast milk contains the nutrients necessary to support the development of the infant s immune system as well as other components that defend against infection. This includes various antimicrobial substances, factors that promote immime development, constituents that promote tolerance and the priming of the infant immime system, as well as anti-inflammatory components. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the evidence for the immune benefits of human milk. 

TABLE 3-2 Unique Factors in Human Milk with Anti-Infective or Immunological ... 

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