28 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7.5/10
Wang Y et al. • JAMA Pediatrics (2023)
Single-strain probiotics in combination with lactoferrin were the most effective intervention for reducing sepsis (vs. placebo RR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.14 to 0.78; RD, -10.7%).
Pammi M et al. • Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2017)
Enteral lactoferrin supplementation may reduce late-onset sepsis and NEC in preterm infants, and appears to be safe.
ELFIN trial investigators group et al. • Lancet (2019)
Lactoferrin supplementation did not significantly reduce late-onset infection in this large UK trial of very preterm infants, though it was safe and well tolerated.
Berthon BS et al. • Advances in Nutrition (2022)
200 mg Lf/d reduces systemic inflammation, while formulas containing 35-833 mg Lf/d may reduce RTI incidence in infants and children, suggesting improved immune function.
Ali AS et al. • Clinical Nutrition ESPEN (2021)
Lactoferrin supplementation significantly reduced the risk of respiratory tract infections across pooled randomized controlled trials.
Zhao X et al. • Nutrients (2022)
Oral lactoferrin supplementation is as effective as ferrous sulfate in treating iron-deficiency anemia with a more favorable gastrointestinal side-effect profile.
Abu Hashim H et al. • European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology (2017)
Lactoferrin was as effective as ferrous salts in treating iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy with significantly fewer gastrointestinal side effects.
Razak A et al. • American Journal of Perinatology (2021)
Lactoferrin supplementation significantly reduced the risk of late-onset sepsis in preterm infants in pooled meta-analysis.
He Y et al. • Medicine (2018)
Prophylactic lactoferrin supplementation significantly reduced the incidence of late-onset sepsis and NEC in preterm infants.
Mayorga V et al. • Biochemistry and Cell Biology (2025)
Lactoferrin supplementation significantly reduced the incidence and duration of infections in pediatric populations across multiple infection types.
Chan H et al. • International Journal of Dermatology (2017)
Oral lactoferrin combined with vitamin E and zinc significantly reduced inflammatory acne lesions compared to placebo over 12 weeks.
Russo R et al. • Mycoses (2019)
Combination of oral probiotics and lactoferrin significantly reduced recurrence of vulvovaginal candidiasis compared to placebo in a 6-month maintenance protocol.
Russo R et al. • Beneficial Microbes (2019)
A combination of Lactobacillus strains and lactoferrin significantly reduced recurrent bacterial vaginosis recurrence rates in women over 6 months.
El Amrousy D et al. • Pediatric Research (2022)
Oral lactoferrin was as effective as intravenous iron sucrose in treating iron-deficiency anemia in children with inflammatory bowel disease, with superior tolerability.
Cheng WD et al. • The American Journal of Gastroenterology (2019)
Combined lactoferrin and lysozyme supplementation significantly reduced biomarkers of environmental enteric dysfunction and gut permeability in Malawian children.
Peterson RD et al. • International Journal of Toxicology (2025)
Bovine lactoferrin at doses of 200 mg and 600 mg daily was safe and well-tolerated in healthy adults with measurable immunomodulatory effects at higher doses.
Navarro R et al. • Biometals (2023)
Bovine lactoferrin supplementation did not significantly reduce COVID-19 infection rates in healthcare personnel compared to placebo in this double-blind RCT.
Ochoa TJ et al. • The Journal of Pediatrics (2020)
Bovine lactoferrin supplementation did not significantly reduce sepsis incidence in infants under 2000 grams in this RCT, but was safe and may have secondary benefits.
June D et al. • The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics (2023)
Lactoferrin supplementation effectively improved iron status in iron-deficient children with a favorable safety profile compared to standard iron therapy.
Sinopoli A et al. • Reviews in Medical Virology (2022)
Lactoferrin possesses broad-spectrum antiviral activity through multiple mechanisms including blocking viral entry and modulating host immune responses.