The Effect of Breast Feeding on T-Lymphocyte Subpopulation.

Human milk plays an important role in the development and differentiation of the neonatal immune system. The relative immaturity of the neonatal immune system is largely compensated for by the bioactive constituents of breast milk. Yet, little is known about the effect of breast feeding on cellular immunity. This study demonstrates the effects of various milk feedings (breast, formula, mixed) on peripheral lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD4, CD8) in normal full-term infants at the age of 4 to 8 months. It is a comparative study conducted on randomly selected 61 healthy full-term infants categorized according to the type of milk feeding. Infants were subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical examination as well as laboratory investigations including CBC, total and differential WBC count, CD3, CD4 and CD8 assessment by flowcytometry. Results showed significantly lower CD4 and higher CD8 percentages among breast-fed in comparison with artificially-fed and mixed-fed infants, while no significant difference was found regarding CD3. Comparing the artificially-fed and mixed-fed infants, no significant difference found regarding CD3, CD4 and CD8. It is concluded that Lymphocyte subset profiles in the early stages of life could be modulated by milk-feeding practices. Therefore, it is recommended to encourage breast feeding for its immune-modulating effect on the developing of the immune system that minimizes risk of infection and allergy.

Impact of kangaroo mother care on cerebral blood flow of preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) has been widely used to improve the care of preterms and low birth weight infants. However, very little is known about cerebral hemodynamics responses in preterm infants during KMC intervention. The aim of this study is to evaluate the changes of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in middle cerebral artery, before and after a 30 minute application of KMC in stable preterm infants. METHODS: It is a prospective, pre-post test without a control group study. CBF flow paremeters were measured with Doppler ultrasonography in one middle cerebral artery. Sixty preterm stable infants were assessed before and after 30 min KMC. CBF indices were assessed in different positions before KMC, forty neonates in supine position and 20 in vertical suspension (baby is held vertically away from the skin of his mother). Other dependent variables heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure and Spo2 were also studied before and after KMC. RESULTS: The mean gestational age of the infants was (32 ± 2 weeks), and mean birth weight was (2080 ± 270 gm). Comparing CBF indices (Pulsatility index and Resistive index) before and after KMC has shown a significant decrease in both Pulsatility index (PI) and Resistive index (RI) after 30 min. KMC, the mean values were (2.0 ± 0.43 vs 1.68 ± 0.33 & 0.81 ± 0.05 vs 0.76 ± 0.06 respectively P < 0.05*) with mean difference (0.32 & 95% CI 0.042-0.41 & 0.05 & 95% CI 0.04 to 0.06 respectively P < 0.05*) and increase in end diastolic velocity & mean velocity 30 min of KMC (10.97 ± 4.63 vs. 15.39 ± 5.66 P < 0.05*& 25.66 ± 10.74 vs. 32.86 ± 11.47 P < 0.05* ) with mean difference (- 4.42 & 95% CI -5.67 to -3.18 and -7.21 & 95% CI - 9.41 to 5.00 respectively). These changes indicate improvement in CBF. No correlation has been found between CBF parameters and studied vital signs or SpO2. CONCLUSION: Kangaroo mother care improves cerebral blood flow, thus it might influence the structure and promote development of the premature infant's brain.