Immunological protection of breastfeeding
The immunological protection of breastfeeding provided to the infant is very strong.
In infancy, simple sugars in breast milk, like antibacterial oligosaccharides, are acquired from the mother's milk and excreted in urine. University studies have shown that these substances cling to the mucosal lining of the preputial mucosa and protect against urinary tract infection,[1] as well as infections in other parts of the body.[2] Babies excrete in their urine about 300-500 milligrams of oligosaccharides each day. These compounds prevent virulent strains of Escherichia coli from adhering to the mucosal lining of the entire urinary tract, including the foreskin and glans. For these reasons breast-milk is highly efficacious at preventing UTI.[3] Rigorous studies have repeatedly demonstrated that breast feeding protects against urinary tract infections.[4] [5] [6]
Researchers have shown that premature foreskin retraction can expose the penis to hospital strains of Escherichia coli and can result in UTI.[7] Hence the protective function of the foreskin is in the child's best interest, especially during chemically treated diaper wearing years where feces mixed with urine can not only contaminate the permanently exposed urinary meatus but also the amputation wound from the circumcision surgery itself.
It is important to note that women have a higher risk of UTI. This is because the shorter urethra offers less protection via the immunological function of the urethra's mucosal lining. By the same observation we see that the tubular tip of the foreskin and its mucosal lining act as an extension of the urethra, hence providing more of that same protection via mucosa immunology and the adherence of antibacterial substances in breast milk. Understandably, removal of the foreskin destroys all this functionality.
See also
References
- ↑ Hanson LA, Karlsson B, Jalil F, et al. Antiviral and antibacterial factors in human milk. In: Hanson LA, ed. Biology of Human Milk. New York Raven Press; 1988. pp. 141-57
- ↑ Coppa GV, Gabrielli O, Giorgi P, Catassi C, Montanari MP, Veraldo PE, Nichols BL. Preliminary study of breast feeding and bacterial adhesion to uroepithelial cells. Lancet 1990 Mar 10;335(8689):569-71.
- ↑ Gothefors L, Olling S, Winberg J. Breastfeeding and biological properties of faecal E. coli strains. Acta Paediatr Scand 1975 Nov;54(6):807-12.
- ↑ Mårild S. Breastfeeding and Urinary Tract Infections. Lancet 1990;336:942.
- ↑ Pisacane A, et al. Breastfeeding and urinary tract infection. The Lancet, July 7, 1990, p50
- ↑ Pisacane A, Graziano L, Mazzarella G, et al. Breast-feeding and urinary tract infection. J Pediatr 1992;120:87-89.
- ↑ Winberg J, et al. The prepuce: A mistake of nature? Lancet 1989, pp.598-99.