The how of breast milk and infection.

There are some 500 million cases of diarrhea in infants and children each year in the developing countries. Although many cases can be managed successfully by oral rehydration, these are diseases that should be prevented. There is considerable evidence that breast milk has antibacterial properties, but there is no conclusive evidence that the properties measured are correlated with protection of the infant against infection. Some of the benefit conferred by breast milk could be nutrition, or it could be dependent on the effect of pH and bowel flora. Much diarrheal disease is because of virus infections, and milk contains not only rotavirus antibodies but other antiviral substances as well. The maternal cells in milk may be immunologically active and may possibly produce interferon. It is important to avoid being prematurely confident as to why "breast is best". 1 possibility that needs to be explored is that the infant inhales sufficient milk while feeding to protect its respiratory tract.