Immunity, inflammation and infection in post-partum breast and formula feeders.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about immunological recovery in post-partum women and if lactational status affects immunocompetence. Many physiological changes occur, such as uterine involution and recovery of non-pregnant immune status. These changes may also affect susceptibility to disease.


METHODS
The study compared immune and inflammatory activation markers (serum cytokines, Epstein Barr viral antibody titer, neopterin, c-reactive protein (CRP), lymphocyte subset percentages, ex vivo cytokine production, lymphocyte proliferation, salivary Immunoglubulin A (sIgA) in exclusively breastfeeding (EB) and exclusively formula feeding (EF) women at 4-6 weeks post-partum, and control (C) women.


RESULTS
EBs had higher ratios of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)/interleukin-10 (IL-10) than EFs, and post-partums were higher than Cs. Both IFN-gamma and IL-10 were significantly higher in post-partums compared to controls. Post-partums also had higher proinflammatory cytokines, CRP and neopterin, salivary IgA and fewer infection symptoms. There were also differences in lymphocyte subsets.


CONCLUSIONS
The post-partum period is oriented towards heightened and activated innate and specific immune defenses, with breastfeeding providing a boost in these phenomena.
Groer
Maureen Wimberly
MW
University of Tennessee College of Nursing, 1200 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA. mgroer@utk.edu
Davis
Mitzi W
MW
Smith
Kathlene
K
Casey
Karyn
K
Kramer
Valerie
V
Bukovsky
Eva
E
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics; D041943:Infant Formula; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D007774:Lactation / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000276:immunology*