A recent study indicates that breast milk offers protection against rotavirus, a frequent gastrointestinal illness that leads to diarrhea, vomiting, and fever in babies. Infants whose mothers had elevated levels of specific antibodies in their breast milk managed to resist the infection for a more extended period compared to those with mothers who had lower antibody levels. These discoveries may inspire future research aimed at enhancing infant health through improved breastfeeding strategies.
A study by researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center revealed that breast milk shields infants from rotavirus, a prevalent gastrointestinal infection that triggers diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Babies with mothers showing high quantities of specific antibodies in their breast milk were better equipped to resist the infection for an extended duration than those with lower levels. These outcomes are likely to spur additional studies focusing on optimizing breastfeeding practices to bolster infant health.
Published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation and supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the research discovered substantial differences in the antibody compositions of breast milk between mothers from high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The analysis covered human milk samples from 695 women across Finland, the U.S., Pakistan, Peru, and Bangladesh, where researchers evaluated specific IgA and IgG antibodies—common types produced in breast milk—against 1,607 proteins from 30 different pathogens.
The study, led by Dr. Kirsi Jarvinen-Seppo, MD, PhD, a professor in the Division of Allergy and Immunology at UR Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital (GCH), monitored the levels and changes of antibodies over time to assess responses to various pathogens causing respiratory illness, diarrhea, and sepsis in human milk. The main goal was to comprehend the protective effects of these antibodies and how they differ across various geographic and economic backgrounds.
“We anticipated differences in antibody levels between countries due to varying diseases present in different regions, but this research marks one of the first direct comparisons across numerous pathogens across several continents,” stated Jarvinen-Seppo. “It was promising to observe a direct correlation between higher antibody concentrations and a delay in rotavirus infection, consistently noted in an independent validation group.”
Key findings from the study included:
- Breast milk from women in LMICs had higher concentrations of IgA and IgG antibodies targeting various intestinal and respiratory pathogens in comparison to that from HICs. This was particularly pronounced for pathogens like Shigella and pneumococcus, which significantly contribute to illness and mortality rates in young children.
- A surprising link was found where increased body mass index (BMI) correlated with reduced antibody levels, contrary to initial assumptions.
“The differences in antibody compositions between regions illustrate the influence of economic and environmental conditions on maternal immunity,” remarked Jarvinen-Seppo.
Beyond the findings on rotavirus, the unexpected link between higher BMI and lower antibody levels in breast milk stood out.
“We had thought underweight mothers would show decreased antibody levels due to inadequate nutritional status,” said Jarvinen-Seppo. “Given the increasing obesity epidemic worldwide, this finding could be pivotal, but it remains preliminary and calls for more research, as this is the first instance where this measurement has been taken.”
“Although the evidence regarding rotavirus protection is strong, the geographic differences and BMI-related variations underscore crucial areas requiring further exploration. This study lays the groundwork for additional research that could deepen understanding and lead to better interventions aimed at enhancing infant health on a global scale,” concluded Jarvinen-Seppo.
