Changes in Antisecretory Factor in Human Milk During the Postpartum and Length of Gestation.

This study measured a protein complex in milk, not infant health outcomes, so it cannot show that AF-compleasome protects against inflammation, necrotizing enterocolitis, or infection. Many mothers did not provide samples at all timepoints, and there were no week 4 samples from mothers of term infants, so the time pattern cannot be compared fully between term and preterm milk. Week 1 samples were collected on different postnatal days in term and preterm groups, and some preterm samples were collected after the first seven postnatal days; this could affect comparisons. The preterm group included many multiples, which made the number of infants larger than the number of mothers and added heterogeneity. Maternal diet was not measured, although diet can affect AF levels. The donor milk pasteurization result came from 20 samples and is exploratory; it does not prove a clinical benefit of pasteurized donor milk.

The authors declared no conflict of interest. Funding came from Swedish government and hospital foundations, including Swedish Government LUA/ALF, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Frimurare-Barnhus Foundation, Gothenburg Medical Society, Mjolkdroppen Foundation, Princess Lovisa Memory Foundation, Samariten Foundation, and CIMED, Center for Innovative Medicine, Region Stockholm.

Do not conclude that AF-compleasome in human milk is proven to reduce infant inflammation or necrotizing enterocolitis. The study measured AF-compleasome in milk samples, not infant outcomes, and the donor milk result came from an exploratory analysis of 20 samples.