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Talactoferrin use decreases hospital-acquired infections among preterm infants
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Talactoferrin, a recombinant human lactoferrin, decreased the number of hospital-acquired infections among preterm infants, according to recent research in the Journal of Pediatrics.
“Human milk proteins enhance the development of intestinal epithelia, facilitate a healthy intestinal microflora, establish host defenses, and heighten mucosal defenses,” Michael P. Sherman, MD, PhD, of the division of neonatology in the department of child health at the University of Missouri, and colleagues wrote. “We propose that the human milk protein lactoferrin partly explains these beneficial effects.”
The researchers conducted a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial with a cohort of 120 preterm infants weighing 750 g to 1,500 g. The study cohort was divided into two groups: a group assigned 150 mg talactoferrin (Agennix) every 12 hours through 28 days of life and a placebo control group. The researchers observed study participants for bacteremia, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis.
Study results showed that the rate of hospital-acquired infections was 50% lower in the talactoferrin group, with 10 infections vs. 20 infections among the control group (P < .04). The researchers also observed fewer cases of pneumonia, UTIs and blood or line infections in the talactoferrin group. Further, results indicated that none of the 14 infants weighing less than 1 kg in the talactoferrin group had a gram-negative infection vs. three infants in the control group.
The researchers wrote that two deaths occurred in the talactoferrin group and one death in the placebo group.
“The results demonstrate the safety of the talactoferrin molecule and provide an initial report of efficacy related to reducing hospital-acquired infections and possibly other noninfectious-related outcomes,” Sherman and colleagues wrote. “Thoughtful adaptations of the traditional RCT design may provide opportunities to test whether lactoferrin supplementation will reduce infectious and other morbidities in very low birth weight infants.” – by David Costill
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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