ISSN:
1432-1076
Keywords:
Key words Breast-feeding
;
Immune system
;
Thymic gland
;
Ultrasound
;
AbbreviationURTI upper respiratory tract infections
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract We have previously shown that breast-fed infants have a considerably larger thymus at 4 months than formula-fed infants. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether breast-feeding also influences the thymic size in late infancy. In a cohort of 50 infants, all being partially breast-fed when recruited at 8 months, ultrasound assessment of the thymic index (a volume estimate) was performed at both 8 and 10 months of age. At 10 months the thymic index was significantly higher in those still being breast-fed compared to infants who had stopped breast-feeding between 8 and 10 months of age (P=0.05). This difference became more significant when controlled for the influence of infectious diseases (P=0.03). In infants still breast-fed at 10 months there was a significant correlation between the number of breast-feeds per day and their thymic index (P=0.01). Conclusion The effect of breast-feeding on thymus size is likely to be caused by immune modulating factors in breast milk. Breast milk influences thymic size in late infancy.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004310051258
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