Bovine Lactoferrin and Neonatal Survival in Low Birth Weight Babies.

Overview

Pakistan has the third highest number of neonatal deaths worldwide. During the last two decades (1990-2013), neonatal mortality rate in the country has declined by only 1.0% per year. Severe infection is the second most leading cause of neonatal mortality, account for 28% of all deaths in Pakistan. Majority of neonatal deaths occur in infants who LBW (birth weight \<2500g) and LBW comprises of both preterm / small for gestational age newborns. Breastfeeding helps protect infants from infections by serving as a source of nutrition uncontaminated by environmental pathogens. The protection is due to the multiple anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and immuno regulatory factors transmitted through milk including secretory antibodies, glycan's, Lactoferrin, leukocytes, cytokines \& other components produced by the mother's immune system. Reduction in neonatal infections and deaths is the aim of this study. The study is being conducted at the Aga Khan University in collaboration with University of Sydney.

Globally, severe infection is the second leading cause of neonatal mortality. It is one of the indirect leading causes of death in a world. According to Annual report, 28% neonatal deaths were due to preterm baby, 26% due to severe infection , 23% due to asphyxia and 7% neonatal tetanus. Every year, three - fourth deaths occurred in first week and four million babies die each year within first four weeks of birth, whereas, 99% of cases were reported by low and middle income countries.Severe infections are the second major cause of death among neonates in Pakistan. Breastfeeding helps to protect infants from infections due to the multiple anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and immuno regulatory factors such as secretory antibodies, glycan, Lactoferrin etc. Lactoferrin, the second most abundant protein in human milk has multiple putative functions. A trial in Italy found that the incidence of late-onset sepsis and sepsis related deaths were significantly lower in very LBW infants who were given daily (Bovine Lactoferrin) bLF compared to placebo. One small trial from India, found there was a 79% reduction in neonatal infections in LBW infants who received daily bovine Lactoferrin (bLF) from birth until 28 days. Evidence gaps remain about the appropriate daily prophylactic dose, the optimal method to deliver, and the effectiveness of bLF to prevent neonatal sepsis in LBW infants in low \& middle-income countries.The overall goal of the project is to improve newborn survival among low birth weight (LBW) Pakistani infants through provision of a daily prophylactic dose of bLF. The project aim is to prevent neonatal infections, as opposed to the current approach which treats neonatal infections when they occur. The current approach depends on early detection of infections in newborns through post-natal care and treatment with antibiotics, with the potential risk of inappropriate use of antibiotics.A two stage study will be conducted including formative research followed by RCT to evaluate the appropriate daily dose of bLF. At the end of the study the investigators will have developed and tested an appropriate method to deliver bLF to newborns at home \& identified the most appropriate dose of bLF to prevent neonatal sepsis in LBW newborns. This study will be conducted at the Aga Khan University and Hospital, Karachi in two phases. A qualitative study will be conducted followed by a RCT. 300 LBW new born babies will be recruited;all standard operating procedures will be followed for administration of bLF to the neonates. Each arm of the study will be allocated 100 newborns.