I am working away at my report here and I'm stumped for a reference -- just
can't find what I'm looking for on PubMed or LACTNET archives.

Every now and then on LACTNET someone will write that ABM impairs gut
integrity of babies.  I believe this, or at least I would like to believe
it, because it makes sense.  Problem is, is this really true?

There are studies saying that intestinal permeability is reduced more
quickly in breastfed babies, as soon as they start breastfeeding, in fact.
This shows the positive effect of breastmilk.  There are also studies that
indicate that babies with sensitivity to cow's milk protein show mucosal
damage which clears once the ABM is removed.  And there are other studies
finding increased intestinal permeability in ABM-fed children who have also
experienced GI infections (no coincidence, I'm sure).  Some of the studies
on necrotizing enterocolitis mention the ameliorating effect of breastmilk
on that condition, but don't actually point the finger at formula (ie. they
focus on the addition of a positive rather than on the removal of a
negative).

But none of this is the same as saying that damage to gut integrity occurs
in *normal* babies, that is, term babies without sensitivity to cow's milk
protein or evidence of GI infection.  It might be that ABM fed babies, since
we know they have more diarrheal incidents, show decreased gut integrity due
to these GI incidents alone, but it seems that there must be more to it than
this.

So, does ABM cause decreased gut integrity and/or mucosal damage in normal
healthy babies?

Thanks,

Barb Strange

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