Sri Priyantini, Suprihati, Soemantri
Background. The secretory IgA antibody of breast milk during the first 1 month is a reflection of the immune response of the pregnant women to all environmental antigens forme through the entero-broncho-mammary pathway given to their babies to overcome antigens especially during the critical phase of development of early neonatal immune responses. Objective. Determine the relationship of maternal factors (characteristics, history of allergy symptoms), and environmental exposure (infections, pets, cigarette smokes) with total sIgA levels in breast milk colostrum and mature. Method. Prospective Cohorts study on 88 aterm, healthy pregnant women from the time of delivery to the 22/25 postpartum admitted in RSI Sultan Agung and Bangetayu Community Health Center Semarang. Colostrum were taken on the 2nd-3rd days postpartum, mature breastmilk were taken 22nd-25th days postpartum. Examination of total sIgA levels using sandwich ELISA technique . Hypothesis testing using Independent sample t-test. Result. Total SIgA colostrum level in mother with history of infections were higher (128,2 mg/dL) than non infected (95,9mg/dL) with p=0,007, mean difference CI95%1,32(1,09-1,65), sIgA levels of mothers exposed to cigarette smokes were higher (119,1mg/dL) compared to the non exposed (92,9mg/dL), p=0,026, mean difference CI95%1,3(1,0-1,6). There were no difference in clolostrum/mature breastmilk sIgA levels between groups according to age, number of gestationals, gestational age, residence, mode of delivery and history of maternal allergies. Conclusion. History of maternal infection and exposure to cigarette smoke in pregnant women is associated with higher levels of total sIgA in breastmilk colostrum.Possible maternal immune responses to the environment have effect on the total sIgA level of breastmilk colostrum.