title: Evaluation of the secretory immunoglobulin A levels in the colostrum and milk of mothers of term and pre-term newborns.
abstract: To determine and to compare the levels of secretory immunoglobulin A in samples of colostrum and milk of mothers of term and preterm neonates.
  
  
  
  The levels of secretory immunoglobulin A of 10 mothers of term neonates and 10 mothers of preterm neonates were determined from 5 mL of colostrum or milk collected on the 1st, 4th, 10th and 15th days of the puerperal period, using the radial immunodiffusion technique. We employed anamnesis, as well as physical and gynecological exams in women in the puerperal period. All the patients were attended at the Januário Cicco Maternity College.
  
  
  
  The secretory immunoglobulin A levels were significantly higher in the colostrum and milk of mothers of preterm neonates when compared with the levels found in colostrum and milk of mothers of term neonates (Mann-Whitney test, p<0.0001). There was a significant decline in the secretory immunoglobulin A levels of the colostrum and milk of the mothers of term and preterm neonates during the four periods (Kruskal-Wallis test, p<00001).
  
  
  
  The secretory immunoglobulin A levels in colostrum and milk of mothers of preterm neonates were significantly higher than in the mothers of term neonates, demonstrating immunological adaptation in preterm neonate breast-feeding.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN. edilsondiasaraujo@bol.com.br
authors.forename: Edílson D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: Ana Katherine
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Maria da Conceição
authors.initials: Mda C
authors.lastname: Cornetta
authors.forename: Heleana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.forename: Maria L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Sirlei Siani
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Morais
authors.forename: Paulo C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Giraldo
mesh_terms: D003126:Colostrum / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis*; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000276:immunology*; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000276:immunology; D007774:Lactation / Q000276:immunology*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory