A new study finds a protein found in breast milk -- but not in formula -- could protect infants from a potentially deadly disease.
That is according to the results of a new study done by researchers from Children's Hospital Los Angeles, the University of Iowa and Northwestern University.
The disease -- necrotizing enterocolitis which primarily affects premature newborns -- kills 30 percent of newborns infected.
The rest may have lifelong complications including having their intestine removed or having to be fed intravenously.
One of the know risk factors is formula feeding.
According to the study the protein -- called neuregulin-4 -- protects the intestine from inflammatory damage.
Mark Frey, PhD said "Our research suggests that without the NRG4 protein found in breast milk, a normal protection mechanism for the immature gut may be missing."