Our Summary

This study looked at whether giving human milk to children aged 0-5 years who were undergoing a bone marrow transplant (BMT) could reduce inflammation in their intestines. The children either received a special human milk preparation or standard formula milk. If they were already breastfeeding at the time of the transplant, they were also included in the human milk group. The milk was given from three days before the transplant until 14 days after.

The researchers tested different markers in the children’s stool and blood at the start and 14 days after the transplant. They found that certain markers linked to inflammation were lower in the children who had received human milk. In addition, specific harmful bacteria and viruses were more common in the stools of the control group who received standard milk. Some other compounds were also higher in the control group.

However, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of certain fatty acids in the stool which are indicators of gut health. The study suggests that giving human milk to children having a BMT could reduce intestinal inflammation and could be a helpful additional treatment.

FAQs

  1. What was the purpose of the study on children aged 0-5 years undergoing a bone marrow transplant (BMT)?
  2. What were the findings of the study regarding the impacts of human milk on inflammation in children undergoing a BMT?
  3. Did the study find any differences in the levels of certain fatty acids in the stool of the two groups of children?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about intestinal transplant is to consider incorporating human milk into their diet post-transplant to help reduce inflammation in the intestines. This can potentially improve gut health and aid in the recovery process. Discussing this option with a healthcare provider can help determine if it is a suitable choice for the individual patient.

Suitable For

Intestinal transplants are typically recommended for patients with severe intestinal failure, usually due to conditions such as short bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or motility disorders. These patients may have complications such as frequent infections, malnutrition, and poor quality of life despite other treatments. In some cases, intestinal transplant may be considered for patients with certain types of cancer affecting the intestines.

Timeline

Before the intestinal transplant, a patient may experience symptoms such as severe diarrhea, weight loss, malnutrition, abdominal pain, and complications from previous surgeries. They may undergo extensive testing and evaluations to determine if they are a candidate for a transplant.

After the intestinal transplant, the patient will undergo a period of recovery in the hospital, which may include monitoring for complications such as rejection, infection, and organ failure. They will need to take immunosuppressant medications to prevent rejection of the new intestine. The patient will also need to follow a strict diet and lifestyle regimen to support the new organ and prevent complications.

Over time, the patient will gradually resume normal activities and may experience improvements in their overall health and quality of life. They will require ongoing medical care and monitoring to ensure the success of the transplant and manage any potential complications.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. How common are intestinal transplants and what conditions typically require them?
  2. What is the success rate of intestinal transplants and what are the potential risks and complications?
  3. How long is the recovery process after an intestinal transplant and what kind of follow-up care is needed?
  4. Are there any specific dietary restrictions or guidelines that need to be followed post-transplant?
  5. How does human milk compared to standard formula milk impact intestinal health in patients undergoing a transplant?
  6. Are there any specific factors that would make a patient a good candidate for receiving human milk during their transplant recovery?
  7. What are the potential benefits of incorporating human milk into the treatment plan for intestinal transplant patients?
  8. Are there any potential drawbacks or limitations to using human milk in this context?
  9. How can patients access human milk for their transplant recovery and what support is available for breastfeeding mothers undergoing a transplant?
  10. Are there any ongoing research studies or clinical trials investigating the use of human milk in intestinal transplant patients?

Reference

Authors: Khandelwal P, Andersen H, Romick-Rosendale L, Taggart CB, Watanabe M, Lane A, Dandoy CE, Lake KE, Litts BA, Morrow AL, Lee ML, Haslam DB, Davies SM. Journal: Breastfeed Med. 2019 Apr;14(3):193-202. doi: 10.1089/bfm.2018.0199. Epub 2019 Mar 27. PMID: 30916575