International
Italian scientists studied 28 mums who caught COVID-19 late in pregnancy and their bubs to investigate immune responses in both mums and newborn babies. The team measured levels of COVID-19 spike protein antibodies in blood, saliva, and breastmilk 48 hours after birth and two months later. They found higher levels of antibodies in breastfed infants' saliva than in the infants who were exclusively fed formula. The scientists say breastfeeding provides a direct benefit - antibodies are passed on in breastmilk - and an indirect benefit, because mum's milk actively stimulates and trains the baby's immune system through COVID-19 spike protein-specific breastmilk immune complexes.
From:
Immune Response of Neonates Born to Mothers Infected With SARS-CoV-2
What The Study Did: This study of 21 mothers investigated the association of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection with immune response in children in the first two months of life.
Note: Not all attachments are visible to the general public. Research URLs will go live after the embargo ends.
Sign In
