LACTOFERRIN LEVELS IN MOTHER’S MILK

Abstract

Objective: This study was aimed to see the significance of Lactoferrin in human breast milk among lactating mothers of healthy
and sick babies. Place and duration: This study was conducted at pathology and paediatrics departments of Peoples University of Medical and
Health Sciences Nawabshah, Shaheed Benazirabad between Jan 2011 to Dec 2011. Design: Cross sectional study. Method: Lactoferrin
levels in breast milk of 356 mothers of healthy babies were estimated and similarly lactoferrin levels in breast milk of 318 lactating mothers of
sick babies were estimated & these results were analyzed. Results: the mean lactoferrin level in breast milk of 356 lactating mothers of healthy
babies was 9.37 mg/ml and the mean lactoferrin level in breast milk of 318 mothers nursing sick babies was 3.73mg/ml. Conclusions: There is
decrease in lactoferrin levels of lactating mothers of sick babies in their mature milk, which could account for the susceptibility of their babies to
infection.