Evaluation of the galactogogue effect of silymarin on mothers of preterm newborns (<32 weeks)


https://doi.org/10.4081/pmc.2015.105
Vol. 37 No. 3 (2015)
Submitted: 3 March 2015
Accepted: 27 November 2015
Published: 29 December 2015
Human milk, Galactogogues, Preterm newborn, Breastfeeding
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Authors

  • Chiara Peila
    chiara.peila@libero.it
    Neonatology Unit, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
  • Alessandra Coscia Neonatology Unit, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
  • Paola Tonetto Neonatology Unit, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
  • Elena Spada Unit of Medical Statistics and Biometry, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
  • Silvano Milani Unit of Medical Statistics and Biometry, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
  • Guido Moro Italian Association of Human Milk Banks, Milan, Italy.
  • Carlotta Fontana Neonatology Unit, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
  • Liliana Vagliano Neonatology Unit, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
  • Claudia Tortone Neonatology Unit, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
  • Elisa Di Bella Neonatology Unit, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
  • Enrico Bertino Neonatology Unit, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Hypogalactia has a relative high frequency in women having delivered preterm infants, who often have difficulties in maintaining a sufficient production of milk for their infants’ needs over prolonged periods of time. Recent studies have shown a potential galactogogue effect of silymarin on milk production in animal models (cows and rats) and in humans (mothers of term newborns); nonetheless, none of the studies conducted on humans consisted of double-blind randomized clinical trials and no data are available concerning mothers who delivered preterm infants. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of silymarin (BIO-C®) as galactogogue and its tolerability in mothers who delivered preterm infants. We enrolled 50 mothers at 10±1 days post-partum who had delivered infants at ® and placebo arms. No adverse events were observed in the 2 arms among mothers and infants, and silymarin and its metabolites were not detectable in the analyzed human milk samples. Further investigation on specific patient groups affected by hypogalactia, defined according to stricter criteria, should be planned to assess the efficacy of the product in increasing milk production.

Supporting Agencies

this research has been partly supported by the Iolanda Minoli Foundation, San Giuseppe University Hospital, Milan, Italy. The authors also disclosed receipt of financial support from Milte Italia S.r.l.

Peila, C., Coscia, A., Tonetto, P., Spada, E., Milani, S., Moro, G., Fontana, C., Vagliano, L., Tortone, C., Di Bella, E., & Bertino, E. (2015). Evaluation of the galactogogue effect of silymarin on mothers of preterm newborns (<32 weeks). La Pediatria Medica E Chirurgica, 37(3). https://doi.org/10.4081/pmc.2015.105

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