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Research

Concentration of food allergens in breastmilk and association with maternal factors– A systematic review

Common food allergens have been detected in breast milk with wide inter-individual variations in concentrations. As maternal factors, such as age, smoking, and body mass index have been associated with breast milk composition, we aimed to identify maternal characteristics associated with the concentration of food allergens in breast milk.

Research

Breastfeeding and Neonatal Age Influence Neutrophil-Driven Ontogeny of Blood Cell Populations in the First Week of Human Life

The first few days of life are characterized by rapid external and internal changes that require substantial immune system adaptations. Despite growing evidence of the impact of this period on lifelong immune health, this period remains largely uncharted. 

Research

A newborn's perspective on immune responses to food

In this review, we will highlight infants' immune responses to food, emphasizing the unique aspects of early-life immunity and the critical role of breast milk as a food dedicated to infants. Infants are susceptible to inflammatory responses rather than immune tolerance at the mucosal and skin barriers, necessitating strategies to promote oral tolerance that consider this susceptibility. 

News & Events

World Breastfeeding Week: Q&A

In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week (1 – 7 August), we sat down with Professor Valerie Verhasselt to ask her some of the top questions about breastfeeding and immunology.

Research

Gene polymorphisms, breast-feeding, and development of food sensitization in early childhood

The effect of breast-feeding on the development of allergic disease is uncertain

Research

Associations of Maternal Milk Feeding With Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at 7 Years of Age in Former Preterm Infants

Maternal milk feeding may have unique long-term neurodevelopmental benefits in very preterm infants. We examine the extent to which maternal milk feeding after very preterm birth is associated with cognitive, academic, and behavioral outcomes at school age.

Research

Mothers’ understanding of infant feeding guidelines and their associated practices: A qualitative analysis

The findings indicated that in spite of continued promotion of the AIFG over the past ten years achieving the around six months guideline is challenging

Research

The provision of alcohol and breastfeeding information by maternal health practitioners in the Australian setting

Despite the existence of a national alcohol guideline for breastfeeding women, maternal health practitioners are not incorporating this advice

Research

Lactoferrin Expression Is Not Associated with Late-Onset Sepsis in Very Preterm Infants

Preterm infants are at a high risk of developing late-onset sepsis (LOS). Lactoferrin is one of the most abundant endogenous antimicrobial proteins expressed in breast milk, stools, and blood, and a candidate for preventive intervention. Large clinical trials have recently investigated whether enteral supplementation with bovine lactoferrin reduces LOS.

Research

Infant feeding practices and childhood acute leukemia: Findings from the Childhood Cancer & Leukemia International Consortium

Increasing evidence suggests that breastfeeding may protect from childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. However, most studies have limited their analyses to any breastfeeding, and only a few data have examined exclusive breastfeeding, or other exposures such as formula milk.