Increase in SARS-CoV-2 RBD-Specific IgA and IgG Antibodies in Human Milk From Lactating Women Following the COVID-19 Booster Vaccination

1 év 4 hónap ago
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended a third dose or booster of the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty (BNT162b2) COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in September 2021 for high-risk individuals. Pregnant and high-risk lactating women were encouraged to receive the booster to obtain potential prolonged protection for themselves and their infants.Research Aim:To investigate the ability of the booster vaccine to increase IgA and IgG antibodies specific to the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in human milk compared to levels pre-booster.Methods:This was a prospective one-group study with a pretest-posttest design. Six of 12 participants were recruited prospectively. Participants were instructed to collect ≥ 2 ounces of milk in the morning at 30 days and 1-day pre-booster, and 7, 14, 21, 30, 45, and 60 days post-booster. Levels of IgA and IgG antibodies specific to the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were quantified in human milk via an ELISA assay.Results:We found a significant increase in anti-receptor-binding domain-specific IgA and IgG antibodies in human milk 1–2 weeks after the Pfizer-BioNTech booster and at the study endpoint (45- and 60-days post-booster)Conclusions:This suggests that the booster vaccination enhances SARS-CoV-2 specific immunity in human milk, which may be protective for infants.
Andrea M. Henle

Infant Exposure to Armodafinil Through Human Milk Following Maternal Use of Modafinil

1 év 4 hónap ago
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
IntroductionNarcolepsy, a condition adversely affecting psychological, social, and cognitive function, is more prevalent in females of childbearing age than the general population. Modafinil and armodafinil are central nervous system stimulants approved for treatment of narcolepsy. Infant exposure to these agents through human milk has not been investigated. Poor quality medication safety information during lactation is associated with early cessation of breastfeeding and suboptimal healthcare for the breastfeeding family.Main IssueIn this case study, we measured the concentration of armodafinil (the most active form of modafinil) in human milk and infant plasma to quantify infant exposure.ManagementThe participant was a 30-year-old primipara with narcolepsy, taking modafinil (300 mg morning, 100 mg noon) while breastfeeding her 6-week-old infant despite the paucity of safety information. Armodafinil concentrations were measured in eight serial human milk samples collected over a 26-hr period and in single maternal and infant plasma samples using ultra performance liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry. The average concentration of armodafinil in human milk was 1.96 mg/L; the relative infant dose was 4.85%; the theoretical infant dose was 0.294 mg/kg/day. Maternal and infant plasma concentrations of armodafinil were 12.02 mg/L and 0.19 mg/L, respectively. The participant continued to exclusively breastfeed the infant, who had normal growth and development.ConclusionBased on these findings, relatively small amounts of armodafinil pass into human milk, with consequent limited infant exposure. Consideration can be given to the use of modafinil or armodafinil during breastfeeding, provided the infant is monitored. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Catherine Leggett

Disparities in 6 Month Exclusive Breastfeeding in Ghana, Africa: A Scoping Review

1 év 5 hónap ago
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Exclusive breastfeeding practice for 6 months is a critical global public health goal. In 2020, only 44% of infants globally, 31% in Central and West Africa, and 43% in Ghana, were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life.Research Aim:To critically evaluate disparities in exclusive breastfeeding practice for 6 months in Ghana.Methods:The scoping review was guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) six-stage scoping review process. The online databases of American Psychological Association PsychInfo (APA PsychInfo), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, and Scopus were searched with keywords inclusive of Ghana, exclusive breastfeeding, breastfeeding, infant feeding, lactation, lactating, and exclusive. Eligibility criteria included full-text, peer-reviewed research articles written in the English language without limitation to specific years. Data were analyzed thematically.Results:Initially, 317 records were identified, and 15 full-text articles were eligible for the scoping review. Four main themes emerged as disparities in exclusive breastfeeding practice in Ghana. The themes were healthcare (prenatal clinic visits, delivery place, exclusive breastfeeding knowledge), personal (maternal age, Human Immunodeficiency Virus status, parity, type of delivery, breast problem), employment (unemployed, formal, or informal sector worker), and sociocultural (ethnicity/region, family support, religious beliefs, cultural practices).Conclusion:Disparities in exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana warrant the collaborative efforts of stakeholders for successful mitigation. Future researchers should explore the role of religion and sociocultural practices to protect, promote, and support 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana.
Adwoa Gyamfi

Psychometric Assessment of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis in Malawian Mothers

1 év 5 hónap ago
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months postpartum has been related to breastfeeding self-efficacy in diverse populations. Globally, this is measured using the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale–Short Form (BSES-SF).Research Aim:To evaluate the psychometric properties of the BSES-SF among women in Malawi; and to examine the relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy and demographic and health factors.Methods:The study design was a prospective, cross-sectional survey with a 2 week follow-up reliability check. Postpartum women (N = 180) were recruited at a maternity hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi. In addition to the BSES-SF, the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Scale (QoL) was also administered. Furthermore, confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, and Pearson's correlations were used to examine the construct validity, reliability, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity.Results:The confirmatory factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure of the Malawian version of the 12-item BSES-SF. Cronbach's alpha and the intra-class correlation coefficient were 0.79 and 0.75, respectively. BSES-SF scores had significant correlation with QoL domains (physical QoL: r = 0.31, p < .001; and environmental QoL: r = 0.22, p < .01). Participants’ age, parity, and mode of delivery were positively correlated with breastfeeding self-efficacy scores.Conclusion:The findings of our study confirmed that the 12-item BSES-SF is a reliable and valid scale for assessing women’s breastfeeding self-efficacy in Malawi.
Roselyn Chipojola

Midwife-Led Continuity of Antenatal Care and Breastfeeding Duration Beyond Postpartum Hospital Discharge: A Systematic Review

1 év 5 hónap ago
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:The World Health Organization recommends that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life and that breastfeeding should continue for 2 years and beyond. Most women initiate breastfeeding, but many do not continue for the recommended duration. While midwife-led continuity of antenatal care is linked to improved mother and infant outcomes, the influence on breastfeeding duration has not been previously reviewed.Research Aim:To critically analyze the literature that compared midwife-led continuity of antenatal care with other models of care where researchers have measured breastfeeding duration beyond postpartum hospital discharge.Methods:A systematic literature review with critical analysis was used to answer the research aim. We systematically searched and screened five databases for quantitative studies where researchers had reported breastfeeding duration beyond postpartum hospital discharge after midwife-led continuity of antenatal care, compared with another model of antenatal care. Methodological quality was assessed using tools from the Cochrane Collaboration (RoB2 and ROBINS-I). In total, nine studies met the inclusion criteria.Results:Clear conclusions about the association between midwife-led continuity of antenatal care and breastfeeding duration were not found. The risk of bias within non-randomized studies ranged from serious to critical, and a judgement of “some concerns” of risk of bias in the one randomized study.Conclusion:To date, the question of whether midwife-led continuity of antenatal care improves breastfeeding duration has not been established. There has been a lack of consistency in definitions of breastfeeding and descriptions of models of care, which has weakened the evidence-based of literature reviewed.Our review protocol was registered with PROSPERO; although due to COVID-19, this registration was not checked for eligibility by the PROSPERO team (CRD42020151276). https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020151276
Emma V. Shipton

A Comparison of Audio-Only and Audio-Visual Tele-Lactation Consultation Services: A Mixed Methods Approach

1 év 5 hónap ago
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life; however, a lack of access to breastfeeding (BF) resources influences BF initiation and continuation. Tele-lactation services may reduce some of these barriers to access.Research Aims:To identify facilitators and barriers of two modes of tele-health service utilization and to compare the differences between two modes of providing tele-lactation services on BF knowledge, BF intention, perceived social support, and 3-month BF continuation behavior.Methods:We conducted a mixed method, longitudinal pilot study utilizing prospective convenience sampling and random assignment of postpartum women recruited from two medical centers in Little Rock, Arkansas. Participants (N = 43) were randomized into telephone-only (n = 23) or audio-visual (n = 20) intervention groups. Participants completed a self-administered pre- and post-intervention survey, as well as a semi-structured qualitative phone interview at 4–6 weeks post-discharge.Results:No significant difference in demographic characteristics across groups was found. At 3 months after discharge, both groups reported continued BF (telephone-only: n = 17, 81%; audio-visual: n = 18, 90%) with no significant difference between the two groups (p = .663). Additionally, no group differences were found for BF knowledge or perceived social support. Overall, participants reported positive experiences with tele-lactation, emphasizing the convenience, accessibility, education, and support provided.Conclusion:We found that both telephone-only and audio-visual delivery of tele-lactation services were equally effective. Both methods of tele-lactation services should be considered by health care providers to encourage and sustain BF behavior in mothers.
Cari A. Bogulski

The Influence of Time and Temperature on Human Milk Storage Antioxidant Properties, Oxidative Stress, and Total Protein

1 év 5 hónap ago
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Human milk is an essential source of nutrition for an infant’s health. When breastfeeding working mothers or students, for example, are unable to breastfeed, storing their milk is recommended. Therefore, it is crucial to know the storage conditions to ensure their antioxidant capacity and avoid oxidative damage.Research Aim:To evaluate the stability of the antioxidant and pro-oxidant profiles and the amount of total protein in fresh human milk after different storage times (1, 2, 7, 14, and 21 days) and temperatures (4 ºC and -20 ºC).Methods:This was a prospective, longitudinal, and observational study with milk samples grouped according to age for comparisons, which included 20 lactating women. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the colorimetric methods of free radical scavenging 2,2’-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid and the decrease of ferric ion. Oxidative stress was determined by the lipid peroxidation product formation through malondialdehyde concentration, and the total protein content was assessed by the Bradford method.Results:The antioxidant profile of human milk was maintained with minimal losses until the 14th day when stored at 4 ºC and -20 ºC. The evolution of malondialdehyde concentration over storage revealed significant changes only 21 days after human milk storage at 4 ºC. There was no change in the value of total protein content.Conclusions:To sum up, there is no difference in the storage of human milk at a temperature of 4 °C or -20 °C over 14 days. Therefore, the lactating woman may choose the most convenient way of storage.
Vania Paula Damasceno Ribeiro

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online Educational Program for Primiparous Women to Improve Breastfeeding

1 év 5 hónap ago
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:There are different approaches to breastfeeding interventions, but the global 6-month exclusive breastfeeding rates remain suboptimal. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought extra difficulties in promoting breastfeeding.Research Aim:To test the feasibility and effectiveness of a theory-based, real-time online educational and support program for breastfeeding related outcomes.Methods:An assessor-blinded, prospective pilot randomized controlled trial with parallel-group, repeated-measures design was used. The sample was low-risk primiparous mothers (N = 40) who delivered in the local public hospitals. Study outcomes consisted of exclusive breastfeeding rate, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and other breastfeeding outcomes measured by a self-reported questionnaire, including the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Comparisons between the differences in the intervention and control groups were carried out.Results:Thirteen participants in the intervention group successfully completed the program. They had a higher exclusive breastfeeding rate, breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding initiation rate, and longer exclusive breastfeeding duration than the control group. Additionally, the intervention group had a lower partial breastfeeding rate, and a higher maternal postnatal depression score and infant’s morbidity at postnatal 2 months. However, all the results were not statistically significant (p > .050). Overall, the intervention was highly valued by all participants who appreciated the regular postnatal follow-ups.Conclusions:Despite showing the satisfactory feasibility of the program, no significant improvements were found in all study outcomes. Considering the participants’ comments, we suggest refining and further testing the intervention with a larger sample size over a longer-term follow-up to confirm its effectiveness.This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04741425)
Mei Sze Wong

Surgical Performance of En Bloc Total Capsulectomy Breast Implant Removal With Uninterrupted Breastfeeding

1 év 5 hónap ago
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
IntroductionA 28-year-old woman was able to maintain lactation for her 21-month-old child through the process of an En Bloc Total Capsulectomy Breast Implant Removal. This case study is important as it exemplifies collaborative care to achieve maintenance of lactation through a surgical procedure.Main IssueThe participant was providing human milk to her 21-month-old child 4 times per day through breastfeeding and pumping and bottle feeding, and desired to continue lactation through explant surgery. The participant was experiencing Breast Implant Illness, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, bottoming out of the right implant, severe capsular contracture of the right implant causing constant pain, limited mobility of the right arm and shoulder, and concern about an active recall on the brand implant she received.ManagementThe lactation management began 3 weeks prior to the procedure with the participant expressing enough milk prior to the surgery to allow for human milk feeding from a bottle during the 7-day recovery period as desired. The surgical team and IBCLC selected an appropriate bra for recovery to allow for both appropriate surgical site healing and ease of access for pumping. Exclusive pumping was utilized until surgical drains were removed, after which the participant was able to reintroduce breastfeeding.ConclusionEn Bloc Total Capsulectomy Breast Implant Removal can be performed while an individual is lactating without complication, given the appropriate multidisciplinary support. A temporary reduction of ease and efficiency of milk removal is possible post-operatively, in this case resolving within 24 hr.
Rachael Anastasio Collins

The Results of Different Heating Temperatures on Activities of Bioactive Proteins in Human Milk

1 év 5 hónap ago
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:The most utilized pasteurization method in donor human milk banks is Holder pasteurization (heating 62.5 °C for 30 min). However, many bioactive proteins are heat sensitive and are inactivated.Research Aim:To determine the results of a range of heating regimes on the activities of xanthine oxidase, lactoperoxidase and lysozyme, the concentrations of immunoglobulin A and lactoferrin, as well as bacterial inactivation.Method:This prospective, cross-sectional, intervention study was designed to measure the influence of heating temperatures on bioactive components in donor human milk. Milk samples were processed at 40, 50, 55, 62.5, 75, 127 °C and the activities of the enzymes, and the concentration of immune proteins, were measured.Results:No bacterial colonies were detectable, using standard culture methods, after heating above 50 ºC. All proteins studied retained over 60% concentrations or activities when the pasteurization temperature was 50 ºC or lower, while their concentrations or activities were lost at higher temperatures. For lactoferrin, the residual concentration was above 80% when heating temperature was under 55 °C, while only 20% remained after Holder pasteurization. Both xanthine oxidase and lactoperoxidase had little residual activity when temperatures were above Holder pasteurization. Lysozyme retained a greater proportion of residual activity than other proteins, following heating at all temperatures.Conclusions:The concentrations or activities of immune proteins and bioactive enzymes decreased when heated above 50 °C. The results of this study can be used to design temperature control guidance during alternative methods of pasteurization.
Jie Zhang

Infant Feeding Practices and Social Support Networks Among Immigrant Chinese American Mothers With Economic Disadvantage in New York City

1 év 6 hónap ago
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Maternal social support promotes healthy infant feeding practices, which influence healthy growth and development. Less is known about how the interplay of social support networks and multicultural health beliefs may influence infant feeding practices, particularly among immigrant Chinese American mothers with economic disadvantage and low breastfeeding rates.Research Aim:To explore the role of social support networks in the development of infant feeding practices in immigrant Chinese American mothers with infants.Methods:This was a prospective, cross-sectional qualitative study where we conducted semi-structured interviews in Mandarin, Cantonese, or English with Chinese American mothers of infants (N = 25) at a federally qualified health center in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Data were analyzed by a multicultural, multidisciplinary team using qualitative thematic analysis and the constant comparative method to identify and iteratively refine emerging codes.Results:Three themes emerged describing how broad transnational communities and close family and friends influence maternal-infant feeding practices: (1) Gathering and processing infant feeding information from broad transnational resources (i.e., from both the mother’s country of residence and the mother’s country of origin); (2) aligning maternal feeding attitudes with cultural health beliefs of local social networks; and (3) gaining confidence with transactional maternal–infant feeding interactions.Conclusions:Strategies to promote healthy infant feeding should consider how family supports and culturally-relevant coaching can help align multilevel transnational social networks with healthy infant feeding practices.
Carol Duh-Leong

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1 óra 5 perc ago
Table of Contents for Journal of Human Lactation. List of articles from ahead of print issues.
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