Hi, All,
I have gotten myself into yet another difficult discussion!  This time I
have been asked to explain *in some detail* how antibodies are absorbed by
the infant's GI tract. I have mentioned gut closure, and that the
antibodies are absorbed from the gaps in the gut mucosa into the infant's
bloodstream and not digested, and of course we know this is true because
how else do babies gain advantages from colostrum and breastmilk, etc, even
dairy farmers ensure the new calves get colostrum to protect against
disease. I did not find any physiology or specific references to this
process in the archives on my search.  The person asking the question is a
professor of Anatomy and Physiology at a US university... shouldn't he know
this stuff?! <Sigh, not surprised> I hope this is not going to be like my
"After Reglan" question, where no-one seemed to "have" the answer.  I wish
I had a copy of the Brown Bible, it's gotta be in there, right?  I'm saving
my pennies and waiting for the new edition.
Thanks in advance,
Nancy Holtzman RN BSN MOM
Great Beginnings New Mothers Groups
Boston MA
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