Phyllis
IMHO this baby should be breastfed. Think about it .... primary
immune deficiency is similar to acquired immune deficiency (the end
stage of HIV). All the research shows that babies with compromised
immune systems survive longer if breastfed. Let me know if you need
those refs.
I had a client many years ago whose second and third babies, both
boys, were born with primary immune deficiency (there are different
kinds, some more severe than others.) The first one was not
discovered until the baby was ten months old. He had been almost
totally breastfed until 4 months, when the mother weaned. On weaning
he started to get infection after infection which never cleared up,
pneumonia three times etc. Eventually the diagnosis of PID was
made. The mother wanted to relactate for him, and succeeded in bring
back a milk supply, six months after weaning, of about 400 ml per day
(it took a while, but she was very determined). The baby's health
improved. At about 18 months she stopped and he immediately became
much sicker again. So she relactated again, but didn't bring in so
much milk this time. He eventually died of Hodgkins Lymphoma at age
2 1/2. It was the saddest thing. The second little boy only lived
for 3 weeks before succumbing to a bacterial infection.
Whatever the bacteria on the mother's skin, she will be providing
antibodies to them in her milk. It seems crazy to me that this baby,
who has so much need of all the antibodies he cannot produce for
himself, should be deprived of the life-saving Abs that his mother
can make for him. One of the things that really comforted my client
after her babies died was that she did as much for them (particularly
the first) as she possibly could.
Pamela Morrison IBCLC
Rustington, England
At 05:01 02/09/2010, you wrote:
>Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 18:16:33 -0700
>From: Phyllis Adamson IBCLC <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: SCID and breastfeeding
>
>Have a newborn being tested for SCID or severe combined
>immunodeficiency because a relative has it.
>Immunologist says to pump and save pending test results. He also
>says NO breastfeeding.
>Third-hand info is, breast milk feeding might be okay, but direct
>breastfeeding might not because of the risk of infection from the
>skin to skin, mouth to breast contact, for a baby with this condition.
>
>I found a news report published in BMJ Vol 324, 13 Apr 2002 about
>"Bubble baby" who got gene therapy to save his life. He had X
>chromosome linked severe combined immunodeficiency disorder. His
>condition was not discovered until his mother quit breastfeeding at
>4 months of age.
>
>Thoughts? Especially need CITATIONS to credible resources in case
>the testing comes out positive for this babe?
>
>Thanks.
>
>Phyllis
***********************************************
Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome
|
