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Amniotic Fluid and Colostrum as Potential Diets in the Critical Care of Preterm Infants

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Diet and Nutrition in Critical Care

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Abstract

Amniotic fluid is the enteral “diet” of the developing fetus, while the first mammary gland secretion, colostrum, is the natural diet of the newborn mammal. Both diets contain nutrients but also growth factors, immune-modulating components, and antibacterial agents that support perinatal organ development, particularly of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Birth requires a sudden transition to nutrient uptake via the GI tract and exposure to microorganisms. Ingestion of amniotic fluid before birth and of colostrum just after birth helps to adapt GI functions and provides protection against detrimental immune responses. Experimental studies indicate that these fluids may also have beneficial effects in certain GI disease conditions, particularly those related to immature digestive and immune function. We provide a brief review of the functions and composition of mammalian amniotic fluid and colostrum, and we describe how these fluids may have a therapeutic potential for GI conditions in some pediatric patients, particularly preterm infants. The composition of the two fluids varies widely among different species and the effects are likely highly species specific. Some effects may however be species independent, maybe allowing colostrum from one species (i.e., lactating cows) to be used as the first enteral diet for infants for whom mother’s milk is lacking. The use of amniotic fluid and bovine colostrum in the critical care of neonates is still at an experimental stage, but animal studies have shown promising results.

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Abbreviations

GI:

Gastrointestinal

MEN:

Minimal enteral nutrition

NEC:

Necrotizing enterocolitis

SBS:

Short bowel syndrome

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

    Ann Cathrine Findal Støy, Mette Viberg Østergaard & Per Torp Sangild

  2. National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Bülowsvej 27, DK-1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

    Ann Cathrine Findal Støy

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  1. Ann Cathrine Findal Støy
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  2. Mette Viberg Østergaard
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  3. Per Torp Sangild
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Correspondence to Per Torp Sangild .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

    Rajkumar Rajendram

  2. School of Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  3. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

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Støy, A.C.F., Østergaard, M.V., Sangild, P.T. (2014). Amniotic Fluid and Colostrum as Potential Diets in the Critical Care of Preterm Infants. In: Rajendram, R., Preedy, V., Patel, V. (eds) Diet and Nutrition in Critical Care. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8503-2_131-1

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