Nutritional support for the infant's immune system.
Newborn babies possess a functional but immature immune system as a defense against a world teeming with microorganisms. Breast milk contains a number of biological, active compounds that support the infant's immune system. These include secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA), which confers specific protection against enteric pathogens, as well as numerous other immunological, active ingredients. A number of these ingredients can be used as supplements for infant formulas based on cow's milk. Here, the strength of evidence regarding the immune-stimulating effects of selected minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, pre- and probiotics, and nucleotides is reviewed. An assessment of how these ingredients are used in infant-formula products currently available on the market is also presented.
Niers
Laetitia
L
Department of Pediatrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Stasse-Wolthuis
Marianne
M
Rombouts
Frans M
FM
Rijkers
Ger T
GT
D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000276:immunology; D041943:Infant Formula; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000276:immunology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000276:immunology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D019936:Probiotics
D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D009711:Nucleotides