Bovine lactoferrin linked to improved outcomes in very low birth weight babies

Manzoni P. Pediatrics. 2012;129:116-123.

Giving bovine lactoferrin to very low birth weight babies may reduce the incidence of invasive fungal infections in this population, according to a study published online.

Paolo Manzoni, MD, with S. Anna Hospital in Torino, Italy, and colleagues reported data from their secondary analysis of a study they conducted of 472 low birth weight newborns randomly assigned to receive bovine lactoferrin 100 mg/day, bovine lactoferrin plus Lactobacillus or placebo. In the primary analysis, Manzoni and colleagues reported that the bovine lactoferrin group was associated with a decreased prevalence of late-onset sepsis.

In this analysis, Manzoni and colleagues demonstrate that although the rates of fungal colonization in all groups were similar, rates of systemic fungal infection were significantly lower in the two groups given bovine lactoferrin (0.7% and 2%) than in the placebo group (7.7%).

The researchers noted no intolerances or adverse events related to the bovine lactoferrin.

“Invasive fungal infections pose a major problem to viability of the most immature neonates, with increasing attributable and related short- and long-term morbidity,” Manzoni and colleagues wrote. “Bovine lactoferrin can exert a specific antifungal activity for its peculiar ability to bind to the fungal cell wall’s receptors, thus producing cell wall disruption. In addition, bovine lactoferrin is synergistic with antifungal drugs such as fluconazole.”

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.

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