title: [Silymarin/galega administration in term and preterm mothers to sustain breast feeding: an observational study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Breastfeeding is considered the most important source of nutrition both in the first year of life for term and preterm infants, because of its well-known positive effects on short and long-term outcome. Unfortunately not all the mothers can begin or maintain an adequate milk secretion. Premature delivery and prolonged length of stay in the hospital can influence maternal milk production due to maternal anxiety and/ or neonatal pathologies related to prematurity. A variety of herbal and pharmaceutical products have been recommended as galactogogues, substances that promote lactation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this observational study, the authors compared the effect on breast milk production of an oral maternal supplementation of two galactogogues (sylimarine and galega-Lutein latte®) in a term and preterm mothers group (preterm infants recovered in neonatal intensive care unit-NICU).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The breast milk production significantly reduced at start in preterm mothers (N.=16) versus term mothers (N.=16) (P<0.08), after sylimarine and galega supplementation was the same in both groups within two months of life (P=NS).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This galactogogues supplementation could be recommended to maintain an adequate lactation in premature mothers, especially when their infants are still recovered in the NICU.
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa di Neonatologia e Terapia Intensiva Neonatale Ospedale dei Bambini V. Buzzi, Milano, Italia - g.lista@icp.mi.it.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Castoldi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pivetti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moiraghi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marangione
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lista
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D056669:Galactogogues / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029881:Galega; D006801:Humans; D062071:Infant, Extremely Premature; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009035:Mothers; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012838:Silymarin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D056669:Galactogogues; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012838:Silymarin