Evaluation of the secretory immunoglobulin A levels in the colostrum and milk of mothers of term and pre-term newborns.
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.
Araújo
Edílson D
ED
Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN. edilsondiasaraujo@bol.com.br
Gonçalves
Ana Katherine
AK
Cornetta
Maria da Conceição
Mda C
Cunha
Heleana
H
Cardoso
Maria L
ML
Morais
Sirlei Siani
SS
Giraldo
Paulo C
PC
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
D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory