Benefits of Breast Milk: Protein From Breast Milk Protects Premature Infants From Staph Infection

Premature babies are much more prone to developing infections and getting sick than babies who are born at the full term. A new study has found that an artificially produced protein naturally found in breast milk can help protect premature babies from a type of the staph infection.

"Our study found that giving very-low-birth-weight premature infants a manufactured form of lactoferrin can virtually eliminate the germ that causes a staph infection known as staphylococcus epidermidis," said lead author Michael Sherman, M.D., as per Science Daily. Sherman is a professor emeritus in the Department of Child Health at the University of Missouri's School of Medicine.

Protein in breastmilk fight infection https://t.co/6wCi7RT5w3

— Hettie Grove (@HettiGrove) July 26, 2016

Lactoferrin Given To Premature Babies Trumped Staph

The study involved 120 premature newborn babies confined in the neonatal intensive care units at the University of Missouri's Women's and Children's Hospital and the University of Southern California Children's Hospital Los Angeles between July 2009 and January 2012. Half of the premature newborn babies were given lactoferrin twice a day for 28 days, reported EurekAlert.

The researchers reportedly wanted to understand lactoferrin's role in the development of protective intestinal bacteria of the babies so they studied the babies' fecal matter. The report said that the researchers' findings revealed that germs causing the colonization of the staph infection of the premature newborn babies who were given lactoferrin were "virtually eliminated."

Lactoferrin Modifies Germs In Newborn Babies

"As physicians, we've had limited knowledge of how lactoferrin affects the development of protective intestinal bacteria. Our study shows that it can modify germs in the bowel of infants, and those germs can protect premature babies from staph infections," Sherman said, as per Hindustan Times. Sherman added that their findings justify a large-scale trial of lactoferrin.

The protein lactoferrin, which is said to cost $25 to $500 a dose, was given to the premature newborn babies for free during the course of the study. This study on premature newborn babies was published in The Journal of Pediatrics.