Hello Lactnetters,

I am working long distance with a mother and her 18 mo old baby. The child
was recently dxed (with biopsy and other tests) with Ulcerative Colitis.
The child has been NPO for 3 weeks (!) and the MD has told the mother to
not continue breastfeeding for two reasons. 1) It will be "too hard" for
her to control her diet, as the child is allergic to soy and cow's milk
(the mother is more than willing to be very careful and avoid potential
allergens.) 2)Because the UC is an autoimmune disease the MDs are saying
that the human milk will make his immune system "too strong" to fight the
disease. The child is currently on immunosuppressent drugs.

My understanding (including a Lacnet search) is that human milk is often
used as tx in adults with UC. I have never seen any data that strengthening
the immune system via human milk can aggravate autoimmune diseases. I have
asked the mother to ask her MD for substantiation of his "theory" but she
has a lot on her plate with this sick child. I sent her studies to show the
use of human milk and UC but she is frightened for her child's life and
although she wants to continue BF she says her doctors are the "best"
pediatric GI's in the area. She is torn between the data I have given her
(which jives with her instinct) and the word of her MD, who has not given
her any substantiated data to support his weaning TX plan.

I hope I am not missing anything in terms of data. As she is long distance
all I can do is provide information and emotional support.

Am I missing any data concerning human milk and autoimmune diseases?

TIA

Mary Jozwiak IBCLC, LLLL, AAPL, Mama of 3 (including one still "latched
on.")
Private Practice

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html