Lattoferrina nella prevenzione delle infezioni: alcune prove di efficacia. I risultati di una revisione sistematica con metanalisi

Abstract

Lactoferrin in the prevention of infections: some evidence of efficacy. Results of a systematic review with meta-analysis This systematic review included 25 studies including 5 pediatric studies (882 children) to evaluate the effect of lactoferrin (Lf) supplementation on inflammation, immune function, and acute respiratory tract infections. The pediatric studies involved children in the first years of life in whom Lf supplementation was via milk formula at a highly variable dosage ranging from 35 to 833 mg Lf/day. The meta-analysis shows that Lf reduces systemic inflammation and the incidence of respiratory tract infections (VRI) in infants but not in adults. However, 1 of the 3 studies included in the pediatric meta-analysis was judged to be at high risk of bias due to missing data by the authors of another 2021 review that used the Cochrane risk of bias assessment (not adopted in this study) and there is high heterogeneity evidenced by an I2 of 81%. The result of this meta-analysis is not very robust, and further studies of good methodological quality are needed before recommending this type of supplementation to reduce the incidence of VRI in early life.