Cow's Milk Protein Could Help Save Preemies' Lives

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The current study included 472 Italian newborns who weighed less than 3.3 pounds (1,500 grams) at birth. Doctors classify these infants as "very low birth weight." Within this category, a baby who weighs less than 2.2 pounds (1,000 grams) at birth, may also be classified as "extremely low birth weight." Generally, such tiny infants are also born prematurely.

The babies were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group that received a placebo, a group that was given 100 milligrams (mg) daily of bovine lactoferrin, and a group that was given 100 mg of bovine lactoferrin plus the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. The addition of the probiotic is believed to enhance the antibacterial and antifungal properties of lactoferrin, according to the study. Treatment continued for 30 days with the very low birth weight infants and for 45 days for the extremely low birth weight infants.

The incidence of late-onset (after a baby is 72 hours old) sepsis in the control group was 17.3 percent compared to 5.9 percent in the group receiving lactoferrin. The babies who received lactoferrin plus the probiotic fared best of all, with just 4.6 percent developing sepsis.

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In his editorial, Kaufman pointed out that the smallest babies had even better results, and suggested that by increasing the dose and length of treatment in the babies who were a little heavier, the results might be even better.

He explained that in these small infants, the lining of the gastrointestinal tract is often underdeveloped, which can allow bacteria to migrate from the digestive system into the bloodstream, causing infection. Lactoferrin helps kill bacteria and fungi, first in the stomach and then in the gastrointestinal tract.

"That makes the mucosal lining barrier stronger and keeps bacteria from moving from the gut into the bloodstream," Kaufman explained.

An added benefit to this treatment, noted Manzoni, is that it could reduce the use of antibiotics as well.

More information

Learn more about infections and other possible complications that can occur in premature infants from the Nemours Foundation.

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