For those of you with some knowledge if immunology, I have a question.  We
just had a baby die from herpes meningitis at about 10 days old (transferred
out so not sure of the age).  Mom and baby both had a persistent fever after
delivery and had an extended stay for antibiotic therapy.  After discharge,
mom returned to ER for poor feeding and lethargy.  I believe she was
exclusively breastfeeding, a very sweet teen mom.  Baby was diagnosed with
herpes meningitis with a very poor prognosis and died shortly thereafter.
Mom had no history of herpes and no lesions.  Neo suspects occult lesions or
a simple cold sore that transmitted the virus to the baby.  My question
about this whole thing is, why didn't mom's antibodies in her breastmilk
assist in baby's recovery?  Neo says it would take 2 weeks for the
antibodies to be present in her breastmilk with a primary outbreak.  Is this
true?  I thought that mom made antibodies and passed them on through her
breastmilk to just about everything she is exposed to, hence the reason for
not interrupting breastfeeding if mom or baby are ill.  There were no
lesions on her breasts either.  Can someone enlighten me?

 

Linda Anderegg, RNC, IBCLC, RLC in Chicago


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