A new study is aiming to explore whether prenatal antibiotic (ABX) treatment impacts breast milk immunity and the health of newborns. Published in Pediatric Research, this study from Milan, Italy, will examine the effects of maternal antibiotic use on breast milk composition, gut microbiota, and the immune system functionality of infants. Past research on animal models suggested that ABX treatment alters gut microbes, lowers immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels, and weakens gut defense mechanisms. With these findings, the team aims to determine if similar changes occur in human infants.
The study will involve two groups of women (41 pairs each) — one group that received at least seven days of antibiotics during the late stages of pregnancy, and another group that did not use antibiotics. Researchers will assess breast milk IgA levels, gut microbiota, and infant fecal microbiota using advanced techniques like ELISAs, magnetic cell sorting, and shotgun genomic sequencing.
Researchers believe that maternal IgA in breast milk plays a crucial role in protecting newborns’ gut health, as infants rely heavily on these antibodies in early life. Any reduction in IgA could leave babies more vulnerable to infections. Previous studies have also shown that ABX treatments can alter gut microbiota, weakening immune function and potentially causing long-term health issues, such as obesity and NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis), in infants.
This new study aims to fill in critical gaps in knowledge, helping mothers and healthcare professionals understand how antibiotics may disrupt the immune function of breast milk and, consequently, infant health. The researchers hypothesize that maternal dysbiosis could hinder the migration of immune cells to the mammary glands, decreasing breast milk IgA and compromising the baby’s gut microbiome.
The results of this study could lead to more informed decisions regarding antibiotic use during pregnancy, guiding clinical practices and ensuring healthier outcomes for both mothers and infants.
Read more:
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