Health experts continue to stress on the numerous benefits of breastmilk in the early stages of a baby's life. A new study further reveals that sugar in breast milk can help prevent Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections in newborns.
According to the Ministry of Health, GBS is a common bacterium that is found in the human gut and the urinary tract of about 15 per cent to 30 per cent of adults without causing the disease. In some cases, however, the infection can cause invasive infections of the skin, joints, heart, and even brain; and the transmission of the infection can also occur during childbirth.
Last year, 50 cases of invasive GBS infections were reported by public hospitals in Singapore.
Sugars In Breast Milk Can Fight Infections In New Born: Study
According to this new study, researchers have found that GBS bacteria is a common cause of meningitis, blood infections and stillbirths in newborns. Even though this infection can be prevented and treated with antibiotics, it is still becoming increasingly resistant.
So it was discovered that human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs)– the short string of sugar molecules present abundantly in breast milk–can help prevent GBS infections in human cells and tissues.
The study thus argues that HMOs has the potential to replace antibiotics for treating infections in infants and adults.
GBS Risk To Infants
While the GBS infection may usually be harmless in adults, it can still cause severe infections. It is more common in newborns as the bacteria can get transferred from the mum to the baby during delivery.
In rare cases, it can also lead to other severe complications such as urinary tract infections, meningitis, and also cause infection in the bloodstream. This has also been linked to miscarriage and stillbirth.
Unfortunately, in infants, the risk is more. Here are some of the signs of the infection in infants
- Jaundice
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Trouble feeding
Efficacy of HMOs in preventing GBS in pregnant women
The researchers studied the efficacy of combined HMOs in preventing the infection in both the tissue of pregnant women and also expecting mice.
Here's what they did:
Scientists observed the impact of HMOs on both the placental immune cells and the gestational membranes that had been infected with GBS.
They found:
HMOs appeared to prevent the bacteria from growing.
In order to confirm these findings, they tested the HMOs on pregnant mice with GBS infections in their urinary tract.
Result: The HMOs appeared to successfully prevent the GBS infection from spreading and reduce its severity.
The encouraging results of the study will be presented at the fall meeting for the American Chemical Society (ACS). It is undertaken by the researchers at Vanderbilt University.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 2,000 babies in the country get GBS each year, and around four to six percent die from it. The bacteria often gets transferred from mum to baby during labour and delivery.
An expectant mum who tests positive for GBS is usually given intravenous antibiotics during labour to help prevent early-onset infections, which occur during the first week of life. The study mentioned that the incidence of late-onset infections (which can happen from one week to three months after birth) is higher in formula-fed than breastfed infants. This suggests that factors in breast milk can help protect against GBS.
The researchers are hopeful that their findings will encourage more mums to take up breastfeeding whenever possible.
You have now all the more reasons to breastfeed your baby!
Having said this, you also need to be careful about few things to prevent the spread of the infection.
How To Protect Against GBS Infection?
The year 2015 had one of its worst GBS outbreaks in Singapore and people were infected after eating raw freshwater fish. In fact, two people died and it was the largest of its kind in the world as more than 360 cases were infected.
Among those infected, 160 people got ST283 and suffered joint infection, fever and meningitis. This was the first time that food-borne transmission to people was proven.
Other than maintaining hygiene, you also need to follow good food habits. Here are some precautions that you can take to protect yourself from the infection.
- You need to follow the usual precautionary measures that include thoroughly washing your hands and kitchen utensils well before handling food, which should be cooked properly as well.
- It is also recommended to use separate sets of knives and cutting boards for preparing raw and cooked food.
Stay safe!
News source: Sci Tech Daily
ALSO READ:
7 Surprising Superpowers of Breastmilk You Didn't Know About
The Difference Between Breastmilk, Cow's Milk And Formula Under The Microscope