Human Milk Lactose, Insulin, and Glucose Relative to Infant Body Composition during Exclusive Breastfeeding.

Ali S Cheema,Lisa F Stinson,Matthew S Payne,Kevin Murray,Donna T Geddes,Zoya Gridneva,Ching Tat Lai,Alethea Rea

doi:10.3390/nu13113724

Ali S Cheema, Lisa F Stinson + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13113724

Copy DOI

Abstract

Human milk (HM) components may influence infant growth and development. This study aimed to investigate relationships between infant body composition (BC) and HM lactose, insulin, and glucose (concentrations and calculated daily intakes (CDI)) as well as 24-h milk intake and maternal BC at 3 months postpartum. HM samples were collected at 2 months postpartum. Infant and maternal BC was assessed with bioimpedance spectroscopy. Statistical analysis used linear regression accounting for infant birth weight. 24-h milk intake and CDI of lactose were positively associated with infant anthropometry, lean body mass and adiposity. Higher maternal BC measures were associated with lower infant anthropometry, z-scores, lean body mass, and adiposity. Maternal characteristics including BC and age were associated with concentrations and CDI of HM components, and 24-h milk intake. In conclusion, 24-h intake of HM and lactose as well as maternal adiposity are related to development of infant BC.

Highlights

Human milk (HM) is typically the sole food source for the infants in the first 6 months of life, through which they acquire all elements necessary for their growth and development [1,2]
Another study reported that HM lactose concentration was not related to infant body composition (BC) or anthropometrics during the first 12 months of lactation, yet higher calculated daily intakes (CDI) of lactose were associated with greater infant adiposity and decreased lean mass, suggesting that lactose could contribute to the development of BC in breastfed infants [6]
This study sheds new light on the complex mechanisms by which HM components may influence infant BC. In this small investigative study, we found that at 3 months postpartum HM insulin and glucose concentrations and CDI were not associated with infant BC, whereas 24-h milk intake and CDI of HM lactose were positively associated with infant lean and fat mass as well as anthropometry

Summary

Introduction

Human milk (HM) is typically the sole food source for the infants in the first 6 months of life, through which they acquire all elements necessary for their growth and development [1,2]. HM provides a constant supply of micro- and macronutrients, bioactive molecules including carbohydrates (lactose and glucose) and hormones (insulin) to the infant during early life, ensuring appropriate nutrition, maturation, and protection against infection and growth [3,4,5]. These components may affect infant gut microbiota, appetite regulation and metabolism, as well as infant body composition (BC). Another study reported that HM lactose concentration was not related to infant BC or anthropometrics during the first 12 months of lactation, yet higher calculated daily intakes (CDI) of lactose were associated with greater infant adiposity and decreased lean mass, suggesting that lactose could contribute to the development of BC in breastfed infants [6]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion