Sialic acid: help the baby from meningitis against

Sialic acid (SA) is a family of nine monosaccharide called carbonate, also known as n-acetyl neuraminic acid, which are important components of the cell membrane and soluble protein [9]. SA among minorities exist in free form, and the rest are combined to form exists in of mucus, sugar, protein, glucose and lipid molecules of oligosaccharide chains. SA in the highest of human brain, particularly in the synapses and nerve to pass the ganglion of n-glycosides of integration components, study finds SA as with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids such as DHA, for infant brain development was significant. SA also exist in the body fluid, SA complexes on the mucosal surface of the body fluid from the structure and function of protection. Also found that the content of SA in saliva from pregnant women with pregnancy increases rising. SA had higher levels of breast milk, especially colostrum, the total content of SA to 1.28 ± 0.26g/L, and member of the oligosaccharide. Have confirmed that human milk oligosaccharides in both in vivo and in vitro inhibitory effect of microbial pathogens, and presence of sialic acid residue of oligosaccharides is important [10]. Harmful bacteria, viruses and other pathogen infected cells, and the first step is to identify the host cell surface sugars, and invasion of host cells. Soluble sugar of combination (such as effects of mucus) sequence of oligosaccharides and sugar on the surface of host cells with homology, first of all, you can combine with pathogenic microorganisms, and then by the Cilia function is discharged, protect the mucosa cells from infringement. Sialic acid in oligosaccharides in breast milk is a highly specific receptors of many pathogens, such as infant diarrhea caused by rotavirus, cholera toxin, neonatal meningitis and sepsis caused by Escherichia coli. Literature reported that breastfeeding of preterm birth in the first three months of saliva levels of SA is the formula (powder) feeding preterm twice times [11], 4-5-month-old term infants in the study also concluded that the same result. This shows that the baby\'s immune system development and maturation, and intestinal normal bacterial flora before establishment acidic oligosaccharides in saliva and breast milk with other immune nutrition in protection against infectious diseases in infants.