Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
Therese Pauline D Francisco
Philippine Children��?s Medical Center, Philippines
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Pediat Therapeut
Human milk is considered the optimal nutritional source for infants. Breast milk is safe and contains proteins such as IgA, which offers passive protection for the gastrointestinal system. When breastfeeding is impossible, pasteurized human milk is considered the best alternative. Due to the possibility of microbial contamination during collection and handling, milk is pasteurized to prevent transmission of pathogens. In low income and remote areas where pasteurization is inaccessible, the pursuit for the best alternative in rendering donor milk safe still remains. This study aims to determine and compare the efficacy of flash heat treatment and holder pasteurization in preserving IgA while reducing bacterial contamination on donor breast milk. This is an experimental study utilizing pooled donor breast milk subjected to bacterial analysis using blood agar and MacConkey plates. IgA level determination pre and post flash heat treatment and pasteurization was performed using BINDARID Kit IgATM. 10 samples each of aliquoted breast milk were subjected to pasteurization and flash heat treatment. The two groups generated a statistically significant reduction in colony forming units observed using blood agar and MacConkey plates. These sample groups also underwent IgA level determination using BINDARID Kit IgATM and exhibited no significant decline in IgA level concentrations. This study suggests that flash heat treatment may be utilized as an alternative method in reducing bacterial contamination while maintaining immunoglobulin A levels, and is therefore able to provide safe and effective donor breast milk. Its impact may be applied to low income and remote areas where holder pasteurization is inaccessible.
Email: francisco.therese@gmail.com