Breast milk protects against
diarrhea
The Journal of Pediatrics
2004; 145: 297-303
Research findings suggest another positive reason
for mothers to breast-feed their babies.
Oligosaccharides in breast milk can help to protect
infants against diarrhea, researchers have found,
providing more evidence in support of
breast-feeding.
Dr Ardythe Morrow, from Cincinnati Children's
Hospital Medical Center in Ohio, USA, and colleagues
analyzed banked samples of breast milk from 93
breast-feeding mothers, with oligosaccharide content
measured at 1 to 5 weeks postpartum.
Infant feeding and diarrhea data were collected from
these mother's infants on a weekly basis from birth
until they were 2 years old.
They found that infants whose milk contained high
levels of total 2-linked fucosylated oligosaccharide
(maximum of 20.8 mmol/l) experienced fewer episodes of
moderate-to-severe diarrhea than those with low levels
(minimum of 0.8 mmol/l).
Of note, oligosaccharides in breast milk had a
protective effect against diarrhea from all causes,
including as a result of Campylobacter, and
caliciviruse infection.
"This study provides initial clinical evidence that
human milk oligosaccharides may offer clinically
relevant protection against diarrhea and suggest the
potential for oligosaccharides to form the basis of oral
agents with potent antibacterial and antiviral
activity," Morrow et al conclude.
Posted: 21 October 2004 | 
