A retrospective study examining the influence of pre-illness diet on the clinical course of viral respiratory illness in critically ill infants, 0-5 months of age

Introduction: Studies have shown that breastfeeding offers several health benefits such as optimal weight gain and lower rates of infectious diseases. The macro and micronutrient content of breast milk has been studied for decades but only recently are we beginning to understand its impact on the developing immune system. In spite of attempts to mimic the metabolic content of breast milk, immune proteins are harder to mimic as they are more labile and less likely to survive storage. It is accepted that breast milk provides some resistance to viral illness …