Current recommendations for breast-feeding in cystic fibrosis centers
Article Abstract:
In recent years, breast-feeding has been strongly encouraged by the American Academy of Pediatrics. However, patterns of breast-feeding have not been adequately assessed for mothers with cystic fibrosis or for infants with this disease. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that affects the pancreas, pulmonary system, and sweat glands. Symptoms include pancreatic insufficiency and chronic respiratory infections; the prognosis is poor and there is no known cure or effective treatment. A questionnaire was devised which was submitted to 124 cystic fibrosis center directors to establish what the current recommendations were regarding breast-feeding for mothers or infants with cystic fibrosis. A total of 86 questionnaires were completed and returned. Most of the centers (77 percent) advocated breast-feeding for babies with cystic fibrosis, either with pancreatic enzyme supplements (to aid digestion) or just breast-feeding alone. For mothers with cystic fibrosis, 11 percent of the centers reported that breast-feeding was automatically recommended, while 8 percent of the centers did not recommend breast-feeding. Seventy-four percent of the centers reported that the recommendation regarding breast-feeding was made based on the condition of the patient and the patient's wishes. The most frequent reason that breast-feeding was not recommended for mothers with cystic fibrosis was poor respiratory status and low body weight. The overall number of mothers with cystic fibrosis who breast-fed their infants was not available from this survey. Areas that require further attention are establishing nutritional and medical guidelines for mothers with cystic fibrosis to protect their health and support adequate breast-feeding; follow-up studies to compare the health and growth of infants with cystic fibrosis who are breast-fed with those who are formula-fed; and identification of psychological and sociological factors that are involved. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Diseases of Children
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-922X
Year: 1990
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Lysozyme, lactoferrin, and secretory immunoglobulin A content in breast milk: influence of duration of lactation, nutrition status, prolactin status, and parity of mother
Article Abstract:
Infants who are fed breast milk have a reduced risk of developing infectious diseases of the digestive and respiratory tracts. Lactoferrin (LF), lysozyme (LZ), and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) are antimicrobial agents contained in breast milk that protect the infant against infection. The nutritional status of the mother may affect the concentration of these substances in her breast milk. To determine if this is in fact the case, LF, LZ and sIgA were measured in the breast milk of 127 Zairean mothers with poor nutritional status who had been breast-feeding for at least 18 months. The study included 54 urban mothers with marginal nutritional status and 73 rural mothers with very poor nutritional status. As lactation continued, breast milk levels of LF decreased by 33 percent in the urban mothers and by 55 percent in the rural mothers, while levels of LZ increased and sIgA concentrations remained the same. No relationship was found between prolactin (a hormone that stimulates milk production) levels in the mother's blood and milk content of sIgA, LZ or LF. Also, there was no relationship between body mass index of the mother and milk content of LZ, LF or sIgA. It is concluded that the nutritional status of the mother does not directly affect the breast milk content of LZ, LF or sIgA. However, poor maternal nutrition appears to indirectly reduce the total amount of these antimicrobial factors received by the infants, because milk volume is reduced by poor nutritional status. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9165
Year: 1991
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