Breastfeeding, the Immune Response, and Long-term Health
Kelly M. Jackson, PhD; Andrea M. Nazar, DO
From the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and the Robert C. Byrd Clinic, both in Lewisburg.
Address correspondence to Kelly M. Jackson, PhD, Professor, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, 400 N Lee St, Lewisburg, WV 24901-1128.E-mail: kjackson@wv.wvsom.edu
(Abstract)
Breastfeeding provides unsurpassed natural nutrition to the newborn and infant. Human breast milk also contains numerous protective factors against infectious disease and may influence immune system development, as noted in previous studies of infant response to vaccination and thymus gland development. If immune system development is significantly improved with the introduction of components of breast milk, then prematurely discontinued breastfeeding may facilitate pathogenesis of many chronic diseases later in life (eg, autoimmune disorders). The authors summarize the reported effects of breastfeeding on the development of the suckling infant's immune system and discuss possible consequences to immunologic health when breastfeeding is discontinued prematurely.
(Introduction)
In addition to being the best source of nutrition for newborns and infants, human breast milk also provides immunologic protection against many infections.1,2 Although most of the immunologic benefit cited by researchers relates to protection from diarrheal diseases that are especially prevalent in developing countries,2,3 breastfeeding has also been shown to protect infants against extraintestinal infections, such as otitis media4–6 and respiratory diseases.7–10
Less convincing, but still substantial, is the evidence that suggests breastfeeding can influence immune system development, affecting the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders, including atopic allergies. This claim is difficult to prove, however, because immune system disregulation is multifactorial in origin and may be asymptomatic for several years after weaning. The early positive influences of human breast milk may be a bulwark against chronic disease in later life.
This review summarizes many of the known immunologic components of human breast milk and examines the evidence for long-term health afforded to breastfed infants. In particular, we will examine the influence of breastfeeding on immune system development and the pathogenesis of chronic disease.
Source: The Journal of American Osteopathic Association 106 (4): 203-207, April 2006
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