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Maternal Infections: Who Can and Who Cannot Breastfeed?

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Breastfeeding and Metabolic Programming

Abstract

Breast milk is the most fabulous nutritional source for babies. In addition to being a food source, it contains antimicrobial, anti-infective, and bactericidal complexes such as secretory IgA (SlgA), immunoglobulins, lysozyme, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, casein, human alpha-lactalbumin made lethal to tumor cell (HAMLET), and cytokines. These features of breast milk protect breastfeeding children from many infectious diseases [1–11]. For example, lactoferrin inactivates virulence factors of various microorganisms. In addition, lactoferrin prevents the binding of some viruses to host cells [12]. Therefore, it is not rational to say that every virus found in breast milk can cause disease. In this respect, case reports are important in developing recommendations. The fear and anxiety of transmission of the maternal infection to the baby through breast milk and the lack of knowledge on this subject can cause the baby to be deprived of breast milk and put the child in great risk for infection. In the presence of maternal infection, the benefits of breastfeeding should be weighed against the known or anticipated risks of breastfeeding during a maternal infection. Maternal illnesses during which breastfeeding is contraindicated are extremely rare. Breastfeeding recommendations during maternal infectious diseases are discussed in detail in this chapter.

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Keskindemirci, G., Gökçay, G. (2023). Maternal Infections: Who Can and Who Cannot Breastfeed?. In: Şahin, Ö.N., Briana, D.D., Di Renzo, G.C. (eds) Breastfeeding and Metabolic Programming. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-33278-4_32

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