Culturable micro-organisms in human milk were found to be associated with maternal weight, diet and age during early lactation.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of maternal factors on the total plate count, Staphylococci, Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria populations in the milk of lactating Filipino women for the first 4months of lactation period. Milk samples (n=136), 24h diet recalls and responses from a qualitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) were collected from 34 healthy lactating women classified according to their BMI: underweight (n=7), normal weight (n=16) and overweight (n=11). The FFQ was useful in assessing prebiotic and probiotic food items consumed by the participants. Microbial populations were enumerated using culture-plating method, and showed a nonsignificant decreasing trend suggesting their relative stability throughout the first 4months of lactation. Carbohydrate and fat intakes were associated with TPC, and with both TPC and Staphylococci respectively (P≤0·05); and consumption of root crop is linked with Staphylococci, Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria (P≤0·05). Interestingly, age was found to be a positive determinant for Bifidobacteria (P=0·00), whereas being normal- or overweight as negative determinants of Lactobacilli (P=0·017). Consumption of milk also seems to positively influence both Lactobacilli (P=0·00) and Bifidobacteria (P=0·05) counts. Certain populations of culturable micro-organisms were found to be associated with maternal diet, weight classification and age. This study offered new discoveries in the recently growing endeavor on the role of maternal factors in modulating certain microbial populations in human milk. Ultimately, the findings of this study could provide a basis in crafting lactation policies and guidelines that may help enhance the microbial quality of human milk through adjustments in maternal diet or weight during lactation.