Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
Volume 22, Issue 8, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083846
Keywords
neurodevelopment; breast milk; neurological symptoms; SARS-CoV-2; infectious disease; neurotrophins; central nervous system; newborns; immune system; breastfeeding
Funding
- Medolac Laboratories
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The study found that previous COVID-19 infection and mastitis differently impact the secretion of NGF and BDNF in human milk. In the COVID-19 group, mothers with specific symptoms like headaches or loss of smell/taste had higher BDNF levels. Mastitis was associated with lower BDNF levels in human milk.
Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) play a critical role in neurodevelopment, where breast milk is a significant dietary source. The impact of previous COVID-19 infection and mastitis on the concentration of BDNF and NGF in human milk was investigated. Methods: Concentrations of BDNF and NGF were measured via ELISA in human milk samples collected from 12 mothers with a confirmed COVID-19 PCR, 13 mothers with viral symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, and 22 unexposed mothers (pre-pandemic Ctl-2018). These neurotrophins were also determined in 12 mothers with previous mastitis and 18 mothers without mastitis. Results: The NGF concentration in human milk was lower in the COVID-19 PCR and viral symptoms groups than in the unexposed group, but BDNF did not differ significantly. Within the COVID-19 group, BDNF was higher in mothers who reported headaches or loss of smell/taste when compared with mothers without the respective symptom. BDNF was lower in mothers with mastitis than in mothers without mastitis. Conclusions: Previous COVID-19 and mastitis infections changed differently the secretion of NGF and BDNF in human milk. Whether the changes in NGF and BDNF levels in milk from mothers with infection influence their infant's development remains to be investigated.
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