Clm7.5

Colostrum Research

45 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7.5/10

Acupoint stimulation for postpartum breastfeeding insufficiency: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Chang YC et al. • Systematic reviews (2025)

Acupoint stimulation may have beneficial effects on postpartum breastfeeding insufficiency.

When compared to the control group, the experimental group exhibited improved volume of milk production (MD = 81.30; 95% CI = 58.94-103.67) and higher prolactin levels (MD = 41.90, 95% CI = 28.57-55.22).
Colostrum time was shorter in the control group ([MD = - 7.26; 95% CI = - 10.69 to - 3.83] for continuous data; [RR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.38-2.08] for dichotomous data).
Acupoint stimulation may have beneficial effects on postpartum breastfeeding insufficiency.

Meta-Analysisn=3,214

DOI

A multicenter double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of bovine colostrum in the treatment of severe alcoholic hepatitis (SAH)

Sidhu SS et al. • Trials (2023)

Prospectively registered on June 16, 2015.

Meta-analysis examining Colostrum efficacy
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Meta-Analysisn=174

DOI

Effects of Timing and Types of Protein Supplementation on Improving Muscle Mass, Strength, and Physical Performance in Adults Undergoing Resistance Training: A Network Meta-Analysis

Zhou HH et al. • International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism (2024)

This trial was registered at International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews as CRD42022358766.

Pre/postexercise and Night are key recommended times of protein intake to increase muscle mass and strength, respectively.
Milk proteins are the preferred types of protein supplements for improving muscle mass and strength.
Future randomized controlled trials that directly compare the effects of protein timing or types are needed.

Meta-Analysisn=4,711

DOI

Effect of oropharyngeal colostrum therapy on neonatal sepsis in preterm neonates: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Anne RP et al. • Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition (2024)

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

The certainty of the evidence was high for the outcomes of culture-positive sepsis and mortality, moderate for NEC, low for time to full enteral feeding, and very low for feeding intolerance.
However, scarcity of data from extremely premature infants limits the generalizability of these results to this population.
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Meta-Analysisn=2,393

DOI

The effect of oropharyngeal colostrum administration on the clinical outcomes of premature infants: A meta-analysis

Fu ZY et al. • International journal of nursing studies (2023)

Oropharyngeal colostrum administration can reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis, feeding intolerance and mortality, shorten the time to full enteral feeding, and lead to a faster recovery to birth weight in preterm infants.

Oropharyngeal colostrum administration can reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis, feeding intolerance and mortality, shorten the time to full enteral feeding, and lead to a faster recovery to birth weight in preterm infants.
The appropriate oropharyngeal colostrum administration frequency may be 4 h, and the optimal duration may be 8-10 days.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Meta-Analysisn=1,736

DOI

Oropharyngeal application of colostrum or mother's own milk in preterm infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Kumar J et al. • Nutrition reviews (2023)

Evidence with low to very low certainty suggests CMOM has a beneficial effect on NEC (any stage), sepsis, and time to full enteral feeds.

Evidence with low to very low certainty suggests CMOM has a beneficial effect on NEC (any stage), sepsis, and time to full enteral feeds.
Given its low cost and minimal risk of harm, routine CMOM use may be considered in preterm neonates.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Meta-Analysisn=1,089

DOI

Pooled prevalence and its determinants of stunting among children during their critical period in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Kassaw A et al. • PloS one (2023)

The pooled prevalence of stunting among children during their critical time is high.

The overall pooled estimate of stunting was 35.01(95% CI: 24.73-45.28, I2 = 98.98%) in the country with the highest prevalence in Amhara region.
The pooled prevalence of stunting among children during their critical time is high.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Meta-Analysisn=8,056

DOI

Therapeutics effects of bovine colostrum applications on gastrointestinal diseases: a systematic review

Hajihashemi P et al. • Systematic reviews (2024)

There is limited evidence on the effects of BC on GI diseases, with mixed findings.

There is limited evidence on the effects of BC on GI diseases, with mixed findings.
More well-designed controlled clinical trials are required to explore its effects.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Systematic Reviewn=1,427

DOI

Education and Experiences of Antenatal Breast Milk Expression: A Systematic Review

Sobik S et al. • Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (2023)

Future research should focus on higher quality studies regarding use of ABME, proper teaching of ABME technique, and the use of ABME to improve breastfeeding outcomes in diverse populations of maternal-infant dyads.

Conclusions: This systematic review found that the literature is limited regarding ABME, and most studies were focused on women with diabetes.
The current limited evidence suggests that ABME may be a helpful tool in improving maternal breastfeeding confidence and breastfeeding outcomes.
Negative side effects reported related to ABME included difficulty learning the technique, discomfort, and feeling of awkwardness while expressing.

Systematic Reviewn=1,410

DOI

Effects of Pre/Probiotic Supplementation on Breast Milk Levels of TGF-b1, TGF-b2, and IgA: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized-Controlled Trial

Taheri A et al. • Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (2022)

Conclusions: Maternal supplementation with pre/probiotics may increase SIgA in colostrum/transitional milk, without any effect on total IgA, TGF-β1, and TGF-β2.

A random-effects model was applied to pool weighted mean difference and 95% confidence interval (CI) as effect size.
However, a significant increase in SIgA was found in colostrum/transitional milk following pre/probiotic administration (WMD = 19.33, 95% CI: 0.83-37.83; p = 0.04), without evidence for remarkable heterogeneity (I2 = 0.0, p = 0.57).
In the overall analysis, compared with placebo, maternal supplementation with pre/probiotics had no significant effect on concentrations of total IgA, SIgA, TGF-β1, and TGF-β2 in the breast milk.

Meta-Analysisn=1,722

DOI

Colostrum Use and the Immune System of Premature Newborns: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Colonetti T et al. • Journal of human lactation : official journal of International Lactation Consultant Association (2022)

Colostrum seems to result in increasing lactoferrin levels in the urine of premature newborns after 1 week of intervention.

A significant difference in lactoferrin levels in the urine was found (SMD 0.70; 95% CI [0.03,1.36]; p = .04; I² = 65% two studies, 112 participants, very low-quality evidence).
Colostrum seems to result in increasing lactoferrin levels in the urine of premature newborns after 1 week of intervention.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Meta-Analysisn=996

DOI

Oropharyngeal colostrum therapy reduces the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in very low birth weight infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ma A et al. • Pediatric research (2021)

OC could significantly reduce the occurrence of VAP, and consequently, its routine use should be considered for VLBWs to prevent infectious diseases.

OC could significantly reduce the occurrence of VAP, and consequently, its routine use should be considered for VLBWs to prevent infectious diseases.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Meta-Analysisn=682

DOI

Repertoire of human breast and milk microbiota: a systematic review

Togo A et al. • Future microbiology (2019)

Finally, we discuss its putative origin and role in health and disease.

Total 820 species were identified mainly composed of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes.
We report variations according to the analytical method (culture or molecular method), the anatomical site (breast, colostrum or milk) and the infectious status (healthy control, mastitis, breast abscess, neonatal infection).
In addition, we compared it with the other human repertoires.

Systematic Reviewn=11,124

DOI

Effects of different dietary supplements on athletic performance in soccer players: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Luo H et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2025)

This study suggests that a range of dietary supplements, including caffeine, creatine, creatine + sodium bicarbonate, magnesium creatine chelate, carbohydrate + electrolyte, carbohydrate + protein, arginine, beta-alanine, bovine colostrum, Kaempferia parviflora, melatonin, and sodium pyruvate, can improve athletic performance in soccer players.

Kaempferia parviflora (SMD: 0.46, small) was associated with a significant effect on enhancing muscular strength.
Beta-alanine (SMD: 0.83, moderate), melatonin (SMD: 0.75, moderate), caffeine (SMD: 0.37, small), and creatine (SMD: 0.33, small) were associated with a significant effect on enhancing jump height.
Magnesium creatine chelate (SMD: -3.0, very large), melatonin (SMD: -1.9, large), creatine + sodium bicarbonate (SMD: -1.4, large), and arginine (SMD: -1.2, moderate) were associated with a significant effect on decreasing sprint time.

Meta-Analysis

DOI

Human milk composition in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Qin X et al. • BMC pregnancy and childbirth (2025)

There are many factors affecting the composition of human milk and fewer studies have been conducted on the composition of human milk.

There are many factors affecting the composition of human milk and fewer studies have been conducted on the composition of human milk.
More high-quality studies are needed to validate the relationship between macronutrients in colostrum and carbohydrate in mature milk content with GDM.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Meta-Analysis

DOI

Effect of Neonatal Unit Interventions Designed to Increase Breastfeeding in Preterm Infants: An Overview of Systematic Reviews

Hilditch C et al. • Neonatology (2024)

There is ample evidence to support investment in KMC, avoidance of bottles during breastfeed establishment, cup feeding, and QI bundles targeted at better supporting breastfeeding in neonatal units to increase prevalence of breastfeeding in preterm infants and promote equal access to breastmilk.

There is ample evidence to support investment in KMC, avoidance of bottles during breastfeed establishment, cup feeding, and QI bundles targeted at better supporting breastfeeding in neonatal units to increase prevalence of breastfeeding in preterm infants and promote equal access to breastmilk.
Stratifying effects by relevant subgroups is a research priority.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Systematic Review

DOI

Molecular and serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Souza IMFNB et al. • Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo (2023)

Therefore, the choice of the method will be based on the conditions and its financial viability.

The flow cytometry, lateral flow immunoassay and qPCR techniques showed 100% sensitivity, whereas the ELISA, western blotting, qPCR and RE-LAMP techniques achieved 100% specificity.
Significantly, the qPCR and LAMP techniques were more accurate when the likelihood ratio was assessed.
The meta-analysis identified that ISAGA and western blotting have low sensitivity values and LIASON, ELFA and ELISA, using a silica bioconjugate, also have low specificity values.

Meta-Analysis

DOI

Colostrum for upper respiratory infections: A systematic review

Jones AW et al. • Nutrients (2016)

Colostrum reduced URTI incidence in athletes.

Reduced respiratory infections
Benefits for athletes
Immune-modulating effects

Systematic Reviewn=350

DOI

Vitamin A Concentration in Human Milk: A Meta-Analysis

Zhang H et al. • Nutrients (2022)

The findings have significant implications for the revision of DRIs for infants under six months.

VA (µg/L) with 95% CI at the colostrum, transitional, early mature and late mature stages being 920.7 (744.5, 1095.8), 523.7 (313.7, 733.6), 402.4 (342.5, 462.3) and 254.7 (223.7, 285.7), respectively (X2 = 71.36, p < 0.01).
Subgroup analysis revealed no significant differences identified in VA concentration (µg/L) between Chinese and non-Chinese samples at each stage, being 1039.1 vs. 895.8 (p = 0.64), 505.7 vs. 542.2(p = 0.88), 408.4 vs. 401.2 (p = 0.92), 240.0 vs. 259.3 (p = 0.41).
Results from the random-effects model showed that the VA concentration of healthy term human milk decreased significantly as lactation progressed.

Meta-Analysis

DOI

A Systematic Review of the Influence of Bovine Colostrum Supplementation on Leaky Gut Syndrome in Athletes: Diagnostic Biomarkers and Future Directions

Dziewiecka H et al. • Nutrients (2022)

BC supplementation may be highly beneficial in improving gut permeability in athletes.

BC supplementation may be highly beneficial in improving gut permeability in athletes.
However, well-designed, placebo-controlled, and randomized studies are needed to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy and to determine the optimal dose schedules of BC supplementation in high-performance athletes.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Systematic Review

DOI

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