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Breast Milk and Risk Assessment of Vertical Transmission of Viruses During Breastfeeding

https://doi.org/10.31631/20733046-2025-24-5-97-104

Abstract

Relevance. Breast milk is a vital source of nutrition and immune protection for newborns. The potential risk of transmitting various viral infections from the mother to the newborn during breastfeeding makes the issue of viral contamination in breast milk a relevant    area of research.

Aim. To present data on viruses found in breast milk and the associated health risks based on foreign scientific publications.

Conclusion. Despite the possibility of certain viruses being present in breast milk, existing scientific evidence confirms that, in most cases, the benefits of breastfeeding significantly outweigh the potential risks, especially when preventive measures are taken. Therefore, a comprehensive approach to assessing the risks and benefits of breastfeeding is essential for ensuring the health of both the mother and the child.

About the Authors

M. I. Suchkov
Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research-and-Development of Immune-and-Biological products (Institute of poliomyelitis); First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
Russian Federation

Maxim I. Suchkov – Junior Researcher

Moscow



S. K. Pylaeva
Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research-and-Development of Immune-and-Biological products (Institute of poliomyelitis); N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University» of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Russian Federation

Sofiya K. Pylaeva – Junior Researcher

Moscow



E. I. Suchkova
First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
Russian Federation

Elena I. Suchkova – student

Moscow



S. P. Bordovsky
First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
Russian Federation

Sergey P. Bordovsky – postgraduates

Moscow



A. A. Semina
Biobank, Institute of regenerative medicine, First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
Russian Federation

Anna A. Semina – director

Moscow



L. I. Kozlovskaya
Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research-and-Development of Immune-and-Biological products (Institute of poliomyelitis); First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)
Russian Federation

Liubov I. Kozlovskaya – Dr. Sci. (Biol.), Head of Department of Emerging and Reemerging infections with pandemic potential 

Moscow



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Suchkov M.I., Pylaeva S.K., Suchkova E.I., Bordovsky S.P., Semina A.A., Kozlovskaya L.I. Breast Milk and Risk Assessment of Vertical Transmission of Viruses During Breastfeeding. Epidemiology and Vaccinal Prevention. 2025;24(5):97-­104. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31631/20733046-2025-24-5-97-104

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