Breast milk erythropoietin
In: Handbook of dietary and nutritional aspects of human breast milkSearch for other papers by J. E. Arsenault in
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Erythropoietin is found in human breast milk. Erythropoeitin concentrations in human milk increase over the postpartum period. It is estimated that exclusively breastfed infants may consume about 3-4 U of erythropoietin per day during the first six months of life. Erythropoeitin appears to remain relatively intact in conditions simulating infant digestion. Erythropoietin receptors are found in the infant small bowel and erythropoietin has a role in the integrity of the infant gastrointestinal tract and reducing necrotizing enterocolitis. Breast milk erythropoietin concentrations were found to be associated with reduced risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, which may be due to beneficial effects on intestinal mucosal epithelia. More research is needed to further elucidate the roles of erythropoietin in human milk and its effects on infant health.