Impact of Breast Milk Secretory Immunoglobulin A on Infants Acute Gastroenteritis

BACKGROUND: Acute gastroenteritis is one of the most common infections in childhood and it can be especially dangerous in the first 6 months of life with a higher risk of moderate and severe dehydration, especially in infants who are not exclusively breastfed. Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) is the first line of defense on the intestinal epithelium from pathogenic microorganisms and intestinal toxins. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine whether breast milk sIgA has some protective effect on the intestinal epithelium as well as on the severity and duration of the clinical signs in infants with acute gastroenteritis depending on the type of nutrition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 23 infants with acute gastroenteritis divided into two groups based on the feeding patterns (type of milk) were included in the study. Investigated indicators were severity of symptoms, dehydration degree, and the need for parenteral rehydration. RESULTS: We identified a statistically significant association between group affiliation and the sIgA levels in stool between the first and the second groups (p = 0.001346). The most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants was Rotavirus. Our study has shown that exclusive breastfeeding reduces the risk of Rotavirus infection, especially in the first 6 months of life, OR = 0.0758, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.0071–0.8074). CONCLUSION: The presence of breast milk sIgA in infants has an effect on the severity of the clinical picture of acute gastroenteritis by reducing the frequency of vomiting, the number and severity of diarrheal episodes, the risk of moderate and severe dehydration, and fever frequency.