Study on some protective factors in breast milk

ABSTRACT

Breast milk plays an important role in protection against infectious diseases. Epidemiological study performed on 27 breast fed babies and 23 bottle fed babies showed significant decrease in the incidence of diarrhea and dehydration in 1[st] group and marked decrease in the incidence of respiratory diseases. Otitis media and tonsillitis in the same group. In vitro studies performed on 10 mature milk and 10 colostrum samples showed that human milk is a very rich source of anti-adherent SlgA. The bacteriostatic agent lactoferrin. And has a very good anti-adherent properties. These properties are higher in colostrum than mature milk. Human milk contains macro and microphages. But-their phagocytic activity is very low compared to white blood cells