Passage of gliadin into human breast milk.

Samples of breast milk were taken from 53 women following the ingestion of 20 g of gluten. The samples were analysed for the presence of gliadin by a double-antibody sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Gliadin (5-95 ng/ml) was detected in 54/80 samples collected at various stages of lactation. Maximum levels in milk were found 2-4 hours after ingestion; gliadin could not be detected in serum. The transfer of gliadin from mother to infant might be critical for the development of an appropriate specific immune response to gliadin later in life.