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Autism Linked to Bovine Milk-based Formulas Fed to Premature Infants

Publication Information
ISSN: 2641-7049
Frequency: Continuous
Format: PDF and HTML
Versions: Online (Open Access)
Year first Published: 2018
Language: English

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Autism Linked to Bovine Milk-based Formulas Fed to Premature Infants 

David Rowland*
Independent Researcher registered with ORCID, Canada

Received Date: December 13, 2021; Accepted Date: December 19, 2021; Published Date: December 30, 2021
*Corresponding author: David Rowland, Independent researcher registered with ORCID, Canada. Email: david222@hush.com

Citation: Rowland D (2021) Autism Linked to Bovine Milk-based Formulas Fed to Premature Infants. Jr Neuro Psycho and Brain Res: JNPBR-161.

DOI:  10.37722/JNPABR.20212

Abstract
      Human milk is uniquely optimized for the needs of the developing infant. Bovine milk-based preterm infant formulas are deficient in two vital nutrients required by the brain, with the consequence that extremely preterm-born children fed these formulas are at high risk of arrested brain development resulting in autism.

Keywords: Autism, Pediatrics

Introduction
      Very premature infants can suffer cognitive impairment and atypical brain development resulting in autism [1]. In a 2015 study at the Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden, almost 30 percent of extremely preterm-born children had developed symptoms of autism compared to only 1 percent of children born after full term pregnancy [2, 3].

Fetal Brain Development

      The average pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. During weeks 26 to 29, short-range neuronal connections actively develop in the fetus. During weeks 30 to 33, areas for complex cognitive skills develop in the brain [4]. Thus, an infant born prior to 26 weeks gestation is at risk from impaired brain development.

Preterm Infant Formulas

      Bovine milk-based preterm infant formulas are inherently deficient in the brain nutrients, DHA and MFGM. Extremely preterm-born children who are deprived of these vital nutrients can suffer impaired brain development.

      Docosahexanoic Acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that is a primary structural component of the human brain and is obtained directly from maternal milk (breast milk) [5]. DHA in breast milk is required for the developing brain [6]. DHA deficiency is associated with cognitive decline [7, 8]. Mothers with optimal DHA status produce milk containing 1% DHA. Unfortunately, the DHA content of bovine milk-based preterm infant formulas ranges between 0.2 and 0.5%, which is on average only about one-third of what the brain requires for its optimal development [9].

      Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a bioactive structure that surrounds the fat globule secreted from the milk producing cells of humans and other mammals. Constituents of MFGM provide essential nutrients to the developing brain [10, 11]. Gangliosides in MFGM are required for neonatal brain development and cognition and become part of the grey matter of the brain [12-14]. Sphingolipids and glycosphingolipids in MFGM are required for brain development and neuronal survival and become part of the cell membranes of the brain and neuronal tissue [15-16]. Unfortunately, MFGM does not survive the processing of bovine milk into the powder that is the major component of preterm infant formulas.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

      In addition to providing structural components to the brain, the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) also aids in the structural maturation of the intestines and in the shaping of the gut microbial populations which modulate intestinal immune response [17]. Because bovine milk-based preterm infant formulas are devoid of MFGM, many premature infants succumb to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a devastating intestinal disease that has a 25 to 50% mortality rate [18, 19]. A common complication of NEC is developmental delay [20, 21].

      NEC occurs as clusters of cases in neonatal intensive care units [21]. The odds of an infant developing NEC are directly related to the intensive care unit in which they are placed [23-25]. The most preterm infant is at highest risk of developing NEC.[26]

The Neurology of Autism

      Autism is caused by a dysfunctional cingulate gyrus (CG), that part of the brain which focuses attention [27-29]. The apparent cause of autism in extremely preterm-born infants is arrested development of the CG resulting from being fed bovine milk-based preterm formulas that are inherently deficient in the vital brain nutrients, DHA and MFGM.

      In a neurotypical brain, the cingulate gyrus acts like an automatic transmission that seamlessly switches attention back and forth between frontal lobes, as required. In autism, however, a dysfunctional CG keeps the person’s attention perpetually trapped in his/her left frontal lobe (logical/analytical) with no ability to access the right frontal lobe (emotional/creative) that plays a central role in spontaneity, social behavior, and nonverbal abilities [27-29].

Conclusion
      The apparent cause of autism in extremely preterm-born infants is arrested development of the brain’s cingulate gyrus (CG) resulting from being fed bovine milk-based preterm formulas that are inherently deficient in the vital brain nutrients, docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM).

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