Breastmilk Online- A new research finds that breastmilk online posts some health risks as breastmilk is mixed with cow's milk that are dangerous for infants who are allergy to it.
In the study published in Pediatrics journal, researchers found that samples of breastmilk online are not pure but are contaminated with at least 10 percent cow's milk.
The study conducted by researchers made use of 102 samples of breastmilk online. From the samples gathered, they found that all the samples contain human DNA, and at the same time, 11 samples were also found containing bovine DNA.
"We think the [online-purchased breast milk] people would have in their household would be cow's milk you can get from a carton at the store or infant formula. Most baby formula is made from cow's milk," Dr. Sarah Keim, principal investigator at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio said.
"Both of those substances would look a lot like human milk."
The results are found to be highly risky for infants according to WSJ report. Infants must be at least more than 12 months old before feeding on infant formula made of cow's milk. For this reason, infants who are fed through breastmilk online could be at greater risk to allergies.
Aside from allergies, breastmilk online were detected to have presence of bacteria such as E.coli, streptococcus and staphylococcus putting babies in greater peril, NBC News reported.
Dr. Lori Feldman-Winter, a pediatrician at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, N.J. stated that exposure of infants to breastmilk online mixed with cow's milk could change the gut microbiome of infants.
When this happens, the development of their infant's immune system and ability to process foods are affected.
The National Institutes of Health warns that babies susceptible to allergies may experience adverse effects ranging from feeding intolerance, inflammatory bowel disease or, in the premature newborn, necrotizing enterocolitis.
Beginning 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning parents against ordering breastmilk online that has not been tested.
Are you going to take the risk for your newborn by buying breastmilk online?
