Development of serum IgA and IgM levels in breast-fed and formula-fed infants during the first week of life

Background

IgA and IgM antibodies play important roles to protect infants in early life

Aim

To study the effects of breast milk feeding versus formula feeding in early infancy on the development of serum IgA and IgM.

Methods

A group of 220 healthy infants born after uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries were enrolled. The infants were divided into three groups according to feeding type: breast-fed (BF), formula-fed (FF), and mixed-fed (MF). Capillary blood was collected for serum IgA and IgM detection at the first week of life.

Results

The average concentrations of serum IgA and IgM in all infants were 1.171 ± 1.079 and 256.2 ± 165.8 μg/ml, respectively. There were significantly higher concentrations of serum IgA in the FF group than MF group at 3, 4 and 6 days of age and BF group at 5 and 6 days old. Paired serum IgA concentrations revealed that IgA significantly decreased in the BF group, but not in the FF and MF groups. Meanwhile, paired serum IgM concentrations revealed that IgM increased significantly during early infancy in all groups. However, the IgM levels had no difference among the 3 groups within 7 days of age.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated the development of serum IgA and IgM in early life. Formula feeding induced higher serum IgA concentrations than breast‐feeding within 7 days of age. However, serum IgM concentration was significantly increased in early life in all groups but had no differences between the different feeding types. Breast‐feeding may protect antigen loading in early life.     

Ghrelin, leptin and IGF-I levels in breast-fed and formula-fed infants in the first years of life

AIM: To establish ghrelin, leptin and IGF-I serum levels in breastfed (BF) and formula-fed (FF) infants during the first period of life. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on fasting blood venous samples obtained from exclusively BF (n=106) and FF (n=100) infants to measure total ghrelin (RIA test), leptin (RIA test) and IGF-I (chemiluminescence). Anthropometrical measurements of weight, length and cranial circumference were performed. RESULTS: During the first 4 mo of life, FF infants compared to BF ones showed higher ghrelin levels (2654.86 vs 2132.96 pg/ml; p<0.032), higher IGF-I levels (3.73 vs 3.15 ng/ml; p=0.00) and lower leptin levels (0.68 vs 1.16 ng/ml; p<0.04). Leptin values were higher in females than in males (0.80 vs 0.47 ng/ml; p<0.03), while no gender-related difference was found for ghrelin and IGF-I. No differences were found in anthropometrical measurements comparing the two groups of infants. A multiple regression analysis showed an inverse correlation between ghrelin and leptin values (p<0.04) and between IGF-I and leptin levels (p=0.00). CONCLUSION: Our finding suggests that breastfeeding influences hormones such as ghrelin, leptin and IGF-I in infancy, mainly during the first 4 mo of life. Further evidence is needed to confirm and clarify the role of a protective link from mother to infants as seen in our observations.     

A comparison of secretory antibodies in breast-fed and formula-fed infants over the first six months of life

In the present study salivary IgA, anti-Escherichia coli, anti-beta-lactoglobulin and anti-poliovirus type 1 IgA and IgM in serum and saliva were evaluated longitudinally in 13 breast-fed and 14 formula-fed infants over the first six months of life. Salivary IgA was quantified by electroimmunodiffusion; specific IgA and IgM antibodies were determined in serum and saliva by ELISA. Salivary IgA was significantly lower at age one month in breast-fed compared with formula-fed infants but in breast-fed infants salivary IgA increased with age and was significantly higher at six months than at one month. In both groups of infants, at the age of six months, salivary IgA levels were significantly lower than in adult controls. No significant differences in secretory anti-E. coli were observed between the two groups of infants. Salivary anti-poliovirus IgA and IgM antibodies increased transiently only to disappear in most babies at age six months, while anti-beta lactoglobulin IgA and IgM, present in saliva at all ages, showed a wide scatter. No important differences in specific serum IgA or IgM antibodies were observed either between the groups or at different times within the groups.     

Leptin levels in breast-fed and formula-fed infants

Aim: Leptin, a hormone that regulates food intake and energy metabolism, is present in breast milk and thus may be involved in body composition differences between breastfed and formula-fed infants. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether diet and gender affect plasma leptin concentration in breastfed and formula-fed infants during the first months of life. Methods: Anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance measurements [total body water (TBW) calculated with the Fjeld equation] were made and venous blood plasma samples were analysed for leptin concentration in healthy, exclusively breastfed or formula-fed Italian infants in the first year of life. Infants were subdivided in two ways: three groups (periods) in relation to age, and five groups in relation to weight. Results: The average serum concentration of leptin was 7.35 ng ml -1 . Serum leptin values were higher in breastfed than in formula-fed infants. Breastfed infants in group 1 had a statistically higher serum leptin concentration (2500-3749 g). There were no significant differences in anthropometric measurements, body mass index or skinfold thickness between breastfed and formula-fed infants. In the periods I and II, breastfed infants had a significantly higher TBW than formula-fed infants. Males had a significantly higher TBW than females in periods I and II. Breastfed infants in group 2 (3750-4999 g) had a significantly higher TBW than formula-fed infants.

Conclusion: The data on TBW, weight and skinfold thickness suggest that the higher leptin concentration observed in breastfed infants in the first months of life may be due not only to adipose tissue production but also to human milk.     

A longitudinal study of differences in electroencephalographic activity among breastfed, milk formula-fed, and soy formula-fed infants during the first year of life

Background

The extent to which adequate nutrition from infant diets differentially influence developmental outcomes in healthy infants has not been determined.

Aim

To compare the effects of the major infant diets on the development of brain electrical activity during infancy.

Study design

Scalp EEG signals (124 sites) recorded from the same infants during quiet wakefulness at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.

Subjects

Healthy, full-term infants (40/group; gender matched) either breastfed (BF) or fed milk formula (MF) or soy formula (SF) through the first 6 months.

Outcome measures

Power spectral values for frequencies in the 0.1-30 Hz range.

Results

Significant diet-related differences were present across frequency bands and included effects that were time- [peaks in 0.1-3 Hz at 6 (MF,SF) and 9 months (BF); 3-6 Hz at 6 months (MF, SF > BF); increases in 6-9 Hz from 3 to 6 months (MF > BF) and from 6 to 9 months (MF > SF)] and gender-related (9-12 Hz and 12-30 Hz: at 9 months BF > MF, SF boys, and MF > SF girls).

Conclusions

The development of brain electrical activity during infancy differs between those who are breastfed compared with those fed either milk or soy formula, but is generally similar for formula-fed groups. These variations in EEG activity reflect diet-related influences on the development of brain structure and function that could put infants on different neurodevelopmental trajectories along which cognitive and brain function development will proceed.     

Longitudinal zinc balances in breast-fed and formula-fed infants

Longitudinal zinc (Zn) balance studies were performed under domestic conditions in term breast-fed (n = 10), term formula-fed (n = 5; Zn concentration in the formula: 4 mg/l) and preterm formula-fed (n = 3) infants during the first 17 weeks of life. Samples of milk, urine and feces were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The median daily Zn intake in breast-fed infants decreased from 0.592 (0.457-0.829) mg Zn/kg body weight to 0.151 (0.095-0.304) mg Zn/kg body weight in the first 17 weeks of life; comparable values for bottle-fed term infants were 0.58 (0.511-0.701) and 0.674 (0.529-0.731) mg Zn/kg body weight. The median percent retention of Zn intake was 27 (-60 to 81.4)% in breast-fed infants and 21.5 (-42 to 64)% in formula-fed infants. In view of the urinary and fecal Zn losses measured, a daily intake of 0.3-0.5 mg Zn/kg body weight is considered to be sufficient to ensure a Zn retention equivalent to breast-fed infants. This requires a Zn concentration of 2-3 mg/l of Zn depending on milk volume intake.     

Energy expenditure and deposition of breast-fed and formula-fed infants during early infancy

The energy intake, expenditure, and deposition of 40 breast-fed and formula-fed infants were investigated at 1 and 4 mo of age to explore possible differences in energy utilization between feeding groups. Energy intake was calculated from 5-d test-weighing records or pre- and postweighing of formula bottles, in combination with bomb calorimetry of the milks. Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) was determined by the doubly labeled water method. Sleeping metabolic rate (SMR) and minimal observable energy expenditure were measured by indirect calorimetry. Activity was estimated as the difference between TDEE and SMR. Energy deposition was estimated from dietary intake and TDEE. Energy intakes were significantly higher for the formula-fed than breast-fed infants at 1 mo (118 +/- 17 versus 101 +/- 16 kcal/kg/d) and 4 mo (87 +/- 11 versus 72 +/- 9 kcal/kg/d) (p less than 0.001). TDEE averaged 67 +/- 8 and 64 +/- 7 kcal/kg/d at 1 mo and 73 +/- 9 and 64 +/- 8 kcal/kg/d at 4 mo for the formula-fed and breast-fed infants, respectively, and differed between feeding groups (p less than 0.04). SMR and minimal observable energy expenditure (kcal/min) were higher among the formula-fed infants at 1 and 4 mo (p less than 0.005). The energy available for activity and the thermic effect of feeding did not differ between feeding groups. Rates of weight gain (g/d) and energy deposition (kcal/kg/d) tended to be greater among the formula-fed infants at 1 and 4 mo (p less than 0.006).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Heart rates of breast-fed and formula-fed infants.

Heart rates of 46 breast-fed and formula-fed infants were monitored continuously for approximately 18 h at 1 or 4 months of age. Heart rate differed significantly by age (1 month greater than 4 months; p less than 0.001) and feeding mode (breast-fed less than formula-fed; p less than 0.001). Approximately 58% of the variability in heart rate could be attributed to feeding mode, sex, and age. Heart rate was correlated significantly with energy intake (r = 0.60; p less than 0.001), but not sleeping metabolic rate or total daily energy expenditure. Energy intake accounted for none of the variability in heart rate beyond that explained by feeding mode, sex, and age.     

Feeding patterns of exclusively breast-fed infants during the first four months of life

Milk intake and feeding patterns of 45 exclusively breast-fed infants were documented longitudinally over the first four months of life. Two prevailing feeding patterns were identified: one in which feedings were distributed throughout the 24-h day and one in which feedings were excluded from the early 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. period. No significant differences in total milk intake (g/24 h) were detected the day irrespective of feeding pattern. Feeding frequency and duration declined in successive months of lactation. Total milk intake was not significantly correlated to feeding frequency or duration.     

Temperament characteristics of premature infants in the first year of life

Parenting preterm infants in the first months after hospital discharge is challenging. Although preterm infants are considered to be difficult, preterm temperament at less than 3 months is unknown empirically. The purpose of this analysis was to investigate the 6-week temperament characteristics of preterm infants in comparison with standardized norms of full-term infants. The sample of 74 infants with gestational ages at birth between 24 and 32 weeks were enrolled in a study of preterm infant neurobehavioral outcomes. Mothers rated temperament at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months of age (adjusted for prematurity). At 6 weeks the premature infants were significantly less rhythmic (regular), more distractible (soothable), less approaching (more withdrawing), and less intense than standardized norms for full-term infants. From these data we conclude that premature infants may be initially more challenging to parent. Temperament moderated over time but remained significantly lower in persistence at 12 months. Considerable change in temperament in the first 12 months of life may be influenced by biological and environmental factors common to the premature birth experience.     

CoQ10 plasmatic levels in breast-fed infants compared to formula-fed infants

BACKGROUND: Coenzyme Q10 has been recognized as an important antioxidant factor besides its main role in bioenergetic metabolism. CoQ10 tissue levels depend both on exogenous dietetic intake and on endogenous biosynthesis, as this compound can be partly synthesized in human cells. Q10 plasma levels reflect the tissue content of the coenzyme and can be used to evaluate the presence of this compound in the human organism. DESIGN/METHODS: Aim of the study was to measure CoQ10 plasmatic levels in a newborn breast-fed population and to compare them to CoQ10 levels in a newborn formula-fed population in order to verify whether changes in CoQ10 plasmatic contents could be related to a different dietetic intakes. We measured CoQ10 plasmatic levels in 25 healthy term neonates with different dietetic intakes: 15 breast-fed and 10 bottle-fed with a common infant formula. These infants were evaluated prospectively during the first month of life. The analyses were performed on the mothers' blood samples and cord blood samples at the time of delivery, then on infants at 4 and 28 days of age. RESULTS: Our results showed markedly reduced Q10 levels in cord blood samples compared to maternal Q10 plasmatic levels at the time of delivery, suggesting placental impermeability towards this molecule or increased fetal utilization during labor and delivery. At 4 days of age Q10 levels had increased in both groups of neonates, but significantly more in breast-fed infants compared to formula-fed babies (p <0.05). At 4 weeks of age no significant changes occurred in breast-fed infants, while values increased significantly in formula-fed infants (p <0.05). The content of Q10 in breast milk samples was lower than in infant formula. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that CoQ10 plasmatic levels are at least partly influenced by the exogenous dietetic supply.     

Psychomotor and social development of breast-fed and bottle-fed babies during their first year of life

Until about 30 years ago breast-feeding was the natural and common method of infant feeding. With increasing technical possibilities in food industry, transfer of birth into hospital and displacement of female activities outside the family, the frequency of breast-feeding decreased, being replaced by artificial feeding methods. This work treats the impact of the two feeding methods (breast and bottle feeding) on the psychomotor and social development of the baby in the first year of life. The theoretical part gives a review of the mother-child interaction and the psychomotor and social development. As hypotheses have been proposed the suppositions that breast-feeding in the first three months of life leads to essential developmental advances in psychomotor and, above all, social maturity. This is due to the intensive visual and olfactorial experience and perception, the advantages of nutrients in breast-milk and, last not least, to the infant's autonomy regarding food quantity and time intervals. The quality of mother-child interaction is essentially influenced by the feeding method, because distance and proximity have an essential influence on their relation. As an important sign of intellectual maturity was regarded to fear reaction to strangers. The empirical part examines the hypotheses by comparing the development of breast-fed and bottle-fed babies. The psychomotor and social development of breast-fed babies clearly differs from that of bottle-fed ones and leads at the age of 12 months to significant developmental advantages of the psychomotor and social capabilities. Some suggestions are given to ensure mental health in the first year of life.     

Skin conductance changes during the first year of life in full-term infants

Skin conductance changes (SCC) reflect the activity in the sympathetic postganglionic cholinergic fibers, which innervate the sweat glands located in the palm of the hand and the sole of the foot. The purpose of this study was to measure the changes in the number of waves per second, the wave amplitude, and the mean skin conductance level during the 1st year of life. During SCC elicited by an auditory stimulus we measured the percentage of infants that responded, the amplitude, latency and recovery times, and any habituation pattern. Thirty-nine full-born, healthy infants were investigated during their 1st and 3rd days of life, at 3 and 10 wk of life, and at 6 and 12 mo of life. The mean skin conductance level (p < 0.001), the number of waves with an amplitude threshold higher than 0.5 and 1.0 micro siemens (p < 0.001), and the amplitude of the waves (p < 0.001) all increased during the first 10 wk of life. The percentage that responded to stimuli increased from 8% to 50%, and the amplitude of the response increased during the first 10 wk of life (p < 0.001). The level of arousal influenced the mean skin conductance level, the number of waves per second, and the amplitude of the waves during the 1st year of life. In conclusion, these results indicate that the part of the sympathetic nervous system associated with arousal develops during the first 10 wk of life.     

Sleep organization and energy expenditure of breast-fed and formula-fed infants.

Sleep organization of infants may be influenced by differences in nutrient intakes from human milk and formula. Because sleep/awake and sleep stage patterns affect energy expenditure, we hypothesized that differences in sleep organization between breast-fed and formula-fed infants might account in part for differences in energy expenditure between feeding groups. Sleep stages and cycling of 4-mo-old breast-fed (n = 10) formula-fed (n = 10) infants were studied with simultaneous measurements of energy expenditure. EEG, electrooculogram, body movement by triaxial accelerometry, heart rate, and oxygen saturation were monitored during an overnight sleep session. Sleep stages, nonrapid eye movement (NREM), and rapid eye movement (REM) were determined. Behavioral observations were recorded by video tape and by a technologist. Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were measured with an indirect calorimeter. Total number and duration of sleep cycles, REM latency, number of NREM and REM epochs, and duration of NREM epochs did not differ between feeding groups. Sleep latency was shorter (p < 0.05) and duration of REM epochs longer (p < 0.01) in the formula-fed group. Formula-fed infants spent a higher percentage of sleep time in REM compared with the breast-fed infants (42 versus 34%) (p < 0.003). Conversely, breast-fed infants spent a higher percentage of sleep time in NREM sleep and their heart rates during sleep were lower (114 versus 126 bpm; p < 0.01). Energy expenditure during REM sleep was 13.0 +/- 4.4% higher than during NREM sleep (p < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)