Nutritional and Immunological Importance of Colostrum for the new born

The nutritional and immunological importance of colostrum for the survival and development of the neonate is reviewed. A neonate is born with low body energy stores and devoid of serum immunoglobulins. Colostrum provides the neonates with both energy and maternal antibodies. Because of syndeschoroidal nature of the placenta, the neonates must acquire maternal immunoglobulins from ingested colostrum for passive immune protection until the immune system of the neonate is fully developed.