Enteral nutrition and infections: the role of human milk.
Human milk (HM) is known as the best nutrition for newborns and support the optimal growth of infants, providing essential substances, nutrients, bioactive and immunologic constituents. HM also grants a favorable microbial colonization with attendant priming/maturation of the gut. The bioactive and immunologic elements of HM demonstrated to protect offspring against infection and inflammation and contribute to immune maturation. Some of these elements are being investigated in order to be used to ameliorate formula milk. A formula milk similar to breast milk may help neonatal gut to build a microbiota near to the one of the breast fed infants, improving the neonate's protection against pathogens. The aim of this review is to summarize the most significant bioactive constituents of HM that own natural anti-infectious properties and contribute to neonatal immune defense.
Neonatal Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
Elisa
E
Civardi
Neonatal Immunology Laboratory, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy. Electronic address: lab.immunoneo@smatteo.pv.it.
Francesca
F
Garofoli
Neonatal Immunology Laboratory, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Italy.
Iolanda
I
Mazzucchelli
Neonatal Immunology Laboratory, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
Micol
M
Angelini
Neonatology and NICU, S. Anna Hospital, Torino, Italy.
Paolo
P
Manzoni
Neonatal Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy; Neonatal Immunology Laboratory, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
Mauro
M
Stronati
D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000737:chemistry; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology
Bioactive constituents; Enteral nutrition; Human milk; Neonatal infection