Efectos de la administración de calostro orofaríngeo en recién nacidos prematuros sobre los niveles de inmunoglobulina A

Abstract

Introduction: Very low birth weight (VLBW) newborns have an immature immune system and also disrupted defense natural barriers.Objective: To evaluate the immunologic effects of oropharyngeal colostrum administration to VLBW infants in their first two weeks of life, by assessing IgA serum levels evolution up to one month of life. Material and methods: We conducted an interventional, no randomized, controlled trial recruiting 38 newborns under ≤ 32 + 6 gestational weeks and/or under 1,500 g at birth. Subjects received 0,2 ml of their mother colostrum every 4 hours, starting in the first 24 hours of life, and for a 15 days period. IgA serum levels were measured at birth, 3, 15 and 30 days of life. Perinatal data for the first month of life were registered. Results: Along the first month of life an increase in IgA levels was found in colostrum group (M1 15.84 μg/ml, M2 20.07 μg/ml, M3 23.65 μg ml, M4 30.34 μg/ml, p 0.001) and in control group (M1 12.48μg/ml, M2 16.48 μg/ml, p 0.018; M3 19.41 μg/ml, M4 22.48 μg/ml, p 0.001). IgA serum levels were statistically increased in colostrum group, in respect to control group at one month of age (p 0.026). Conclusions: Our data suggest that oropharyngeal colostrum administration might facilitate the development of immune system in VLWB infants at one month of age, by increasing IgA serum levels.