Infants Of Mothers Research Articles

Effects of an App-Based Visitation Program for Mothers of High-Risk Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

This study established an app-based visitation program for mothers of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)-constrained by COVID-19 visitation restrictions-and assessed its impact on neonatal perception, maternal-infant attachment, and parental stress. High-risk infants in the NICU encounter heightened challenges, exacerbated by COVID-19 restrictions, leading to heightened maternal stress, impaired neonatal perception, and hindered mother-infant attachment. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 40 mothers (20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group) unable to visit the NICU of a tertiary general hospital in South Korea. The experimental group utilized the Dodam-Dodam smartphone application, while the control group received neonatal information through telephone calls and text messages. Data collection occurred in July 2022 (control) and September 2022 (experimental) using research instruments (parent's neonatal perception, maternal-infant attachment, and parental stressor scale: NICU, visiting program satisfaction). Descriptive statistics and tests (χ2, Fisher's exact, Shapiro-Wilk, parametric independent t and paired t tests, and nonparametric tests: Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon's signed-rank) were employed for analysis. The Dodam-Dodam application significantly impacted maternal-infant attachment parental stress scores and program satisfaction in the experimental group, except for neonatal perception. The Dodam-Dodam application was more efficacious than traditional visiting programs in enhancing maternal-infant attachment, increasing maternal satisfaction and reducing parental stress within NICU settings amid restricted visitation. Recommendations include app-based NICU visitation, exploring app variations, studying diverse populations, and providing optimal information provision.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: unmet needs and perspectives.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) has become an essential lifesaving intervention for individuals with severe cardiovascular and respiratory failure. Its application is expanding across several therapeutic contexts, surpassing conventional indications. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly stressed worldwide health systems to manage acute respiratory failure. ECMO has been employed as a vital intervention, particularly for patients with severe COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ECMO is applicable throughout pregnancy. The principal indications for ECMO in pregnant women align with those in the general population. However, pregnancy complicates issues, necessitating consideration of both mother's and infant's well-being. Patients with systemic rheumatic diseases are prone to experience life-threatening complications. While a majority of these patients respond to immunosuppressive drugs, a small percentage suffer organ failure and may benefit from ECMO as a bridge to recovery. The article addresses coagulation therapies, highlighting the necessity of precise anticoagulation to avert both bleeding and thrombosis, particularly in patients requiring extended ECMO support. Additionally, the pharmacokinetics of antibiotics in ECMO patients are summarized, including the influence of the ECMO circuit on drug metabolism. Survey-based research offers valuable insights into ECMO use, procedures, and challenges. The paper evaluates current survey-based research and ECMO guidelines, highlighting clinical practice, training, and resource availability discrepancies across ECMO centers globally. Particular focus is placed on the rehabilitation requirements of ECMO survivors, acknowledging the importance of early mobilization and post-discharge care in improving long-term outcomes and quality of life.

Trophoblast-specific overexpression of adiponectin receptor 2 causes fetal growth restriction in pregnant mice.

Maternal obesity in pregnancy is strongly associated with complications such as fetal overgrowth and infants of obese mothers have an increased risk to develop obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease later in life. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well established. Circulating levels of adiponectin are low in obese pregnant women and maternal circulating adiponectin is negatively associated with birth weight. We have reported that normalizing maternal adiponectin in obese pregnant mice prevents placental dysfunction, fetal overgrowth, and programming of offspring cardio-metabolic disease. However, the mechanistic link between maternal adiponectin, placental function, and fetal growth remains to be established. We hypothesized that trophoblast-specific overexpression of the adiponectin receptor 2 (Adipor2) in healthy pregnant mice inhibits placental mTORC1 signaling and nutrient transport, resulting in fetal growth restriction. Using lentiviral transduction of blastocysts with a mammalian gene expression lentiviral vector for up-regulation of Adipor2 (Adipor2-OX), we achieved a ~ 3-fold increase in placenta Adipor2 mRNA levels and a 2-fold increase of the ADIPOR2 protein in the trophoblast plasma membrane. Placenta-specific Adipor2-OX increased placental peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α phosphorylation, ceramide synthase expression and ceramide concentrations. Furthermore, Adipor2-OX inhibited placental mTORC1 signaling and reduced invivo placental transport of glucose and amino acids. Lastly, Adipor2-OX reduced fetal weight by 11%. These data provide mechanistic evidence that placental Adipor2 signaling directly affects fetal growth. We propose that low circulating adiponectin in maternal obesity causes fetal overgrowth and programs the offspring for cardio-metabolic disease mediated by a direct effect on placental function.

The who, when, and why of pacifier use.

Social and familial consequences of pacifier use remain poorly understood. The present study attempts to shed more light on the characteristics of parents using pacifiers with their infants and to explore how pacifier use affects perceptions of infant emotionality, maternal stress, and parental efficacy. The study sample consisted of 428 mothers (range: 17-49 years) of infants (0-36 months) who completed a comprehensive questionnaire assessing infant and parent characteristics as well as parenting practices and pacifier use. We compared attitudes toward pacifiers, parenting stress, children's levels of reactivity and self-regulation, and maternal efficacy among Pacifier Users, Never-Users, and families that Tried-Pacifiers. The reported results reveal benefits of pacifier use for the family relationships, namely reduced parenting stress (p = 0.018), better parent-child dynamics (p < 0.001), and more positive perceptions of child's affectivity (p = 0.006), which are all important aspects of infant development. Our findings highlight developmental benefits of pacifier use, a practice that is known to have both positive and negative long-term consequences for healthy child development. It is, therefore, important for health professionals to have discussions about the pros and cons of pacifier use with parents. The study provides novel insights into how and why mothers use pacifiers and into the psychological consequences of this practice. We found pacifier use is associated with less maternal stress, better mother-child dynamics, and more positive perceptions of child's affectivity. Our findings document developmental benefits of pacifier use adding a new perspective to the debate on pacifiers. Doctors, health visitors, pediatric nurses, and midwives may consider this evidence when advising parents on pacifier use.

State Social Expenditures and Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight in the US

Adverse birth outcomes in the US, including preterm birth and low birth weight, are strongly tied to socioeconomic disadvantage and disproportionately impact infants of Black mothers. Increasing investments in social programs represents a potential policy approach to addressing disparities in birth outcomes. To examine state-level associations of government expenditures on social programs with rates of preterm birth and low birth weight both overall and by race. This cross-sectional, ecological study was conducted among liveborn infants in the 50 US states between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2019. Data analysis was performed from May 2022 to May 2024. Yearly state and local government expenditures per low-income person on social programs in the following categories: state refundable Earned Income Tax Credit; cash assistance; childcare assistance; housing and community development; and public health. Yearly state-level rates of preterm birth (gestational age <37 weeks) and low birth weight (<2500 g). From January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2019, there were 35.1 million live births in the US, of which 3.4 million (9.8%) were preterm and 2.8 million (8.1%) were low birth weight. Median (IQR) state social expenditures per low-income person were $1546 ($1074-$2323). Greater total state social expenditures were associated with lower overall rates of preterm birth (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] for every increase of $1000 per low-income person, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.97-0.999) but not with overall rates of low birth weight. In secondary analyses, greater state social expenditures were associated with lower preterm birth rates for infants of Black mothers (aPR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92-0.999). Greater state expenditures specifically on cash assistance (aPR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.43-0.94) and housing and community development (aPR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.84-0.98) were associated with lower preterm birth rates for infants of Black mothers. In this cross-sectional, ecological study, greater state-level expenditures on social programs were associated with reduced rates of preterm birth, particularly for infants of Black mothers. State and local governments may consider bolstering investments in cash assistance and housing and community development to address maternal and infant health disparities.

Predicting Neonatal Hypoglycemia Using AI Neural Networks in Infants from Mothers with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to develop a predictive model for the association between maternal and neonatal anthropometric data and neonatal hypoglycemia based on data from mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their neonates. MATERIAL AND METHODS We included 106 pregnant women with GDM (based on the World Health Organization International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups) and their neonates. Neonatal hypoglycemia was defined as a threshold of 2.5 mmol/L. Neonatal blood glucose levels were performed at 0, 0.5, 1, 3, and 24 h after birth. An artificial neural network (ANN) and recurrent neural network (RNN) were developed to predict the neonate blood concentrations and investigate the relative contribution of maternal and neonate clinical variables to neonatal hypoglycemia. RESULTS Of 106 mothers with GDM, 85% had obesity, and 78% had vaginal deliveries, with neonates averaging a birth weight of 3335.83 g. The ANN model, based on the clinical data from mothers and neonates, predicted blood glucose levels with a high degree of accuracy, achieving a coefficient of determination of 0.869 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.274. Neonatal birth weight and maternal body mass index were the 2 most significant factors in predicting neonatal hypoglycemia, contributing 18.6% and 15.9%, respectively. The RNN model similarly forecasted glucose levels effectively, addressing the dynamic changes in blood glucose with 0.63 mmol/L RMSE and 0.53 mmol/L mean absolute error. CONCLUSIONS ANN and RNN models effectively predict neonatal hypoglycemia in infants of mothers with GDM, highlighting the critical role of maternal and neonatal factors.

Mobile applications for promoting and supporting breastfeeding: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Breastfeeding practices require improvement. We performed a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and analytic observational studies to assess effects of mobile applications (apps) aiming to support and promote breastfeeding targeting pregnant women, mothers of infants or their partners, on breastfeeding outcomes. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL and Association of Computing Machinery Digital Library from 1 July 2008 to 29 November 2022, with lack of coverage of the most recent period before publication date being a limitation of this review. We performed meta-analyses of findings from RCTs on primary outcomes, namely early breastfeeding initiation, exclusive and any breastfeeding rates. Joanna Briggs Institute tools were used for risk of bias assessment. Six RCTs, one quasi-experimental and two cohort studies, mainly from high-income countries, were included. Most studies focused on maternal app usage starting from pregnancy. One study targeted fathers as app-users. Population characteristics, such as parity or delivery mode, apps scope of content and applied active components varied between studies. Main methodological limitations of studies were baseline differences between groups and lack of blinding. Compared to controls, app usage tended to increase the odds of exclusive breastfeeding. This nonsignificant effect was most pronounced at 1-1.5 months (n = 1294, odds ratio 1.45 (95% Confidence Interval, CI 0.83, 2.54), with considerable heterogeneity between studies [I2 77%]), but less so at 3 and 6 months post-partum. The odds of early breastfeeding initiation, any breastfeeding at all time points were similar among groups. However, two cohort studies reported increased odds of exclusive and/or any breastfeeding at different time points. In conclusion, evidence is insufficient to show sustained beneficial effects of breastfeeding promotion and support through mobile apps on breastfeeding rates.

Erythrocyte membrane and breast milk fatty acid profile in lactating mothers: relationship with infant erythrocyte membrane fatty acid profile.

During the first thousand days of life, fetus and infant's nutrition depends on mother's diet. Polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFA) are important substrates in infant neurogenesis. We related erythrocyte membrane (EM) and breast milk fatty acids (FA) profile in lactating mothers with the EM FA profile in exclusively breastfed infants and evaluated maternal fat consumption. We conducted an observational, cross-sectional analytical study. During the 2016-2019 period, milk and blood samples from adult mothers 90 days post-partum and infant's blood were analysed, and FA were determined by GC. A frequency of consumption survey of fatty acids precursor foods and sources was conducted. The sample included forty-five mother-infant EM and forty-five milk samples donated by the same mothers. A low percentage of DHA (0·14 (0·12-0·2)) was found in milk, consistent with mother's low consumption of DHA-rich foods. A significant positive correlation between infant's EM DHA percentage and milk DHA percentage (r = 0·39; P value 0·008), as well as between infant's EM ω-3 fatty acids sum and milk DHA percentage (r = 0·39; P value 0·008), was found. When milk had a DHA percentage greater than or equal to 0·20 %, infants had a significant increase in DHA in their EM. Mother's consumption of DHA precursors and sources was NS. The relation between the DHA percentage distribution found in maternal milk, and the DHA percentage distribution found in infant's and mother's EM was proven in this population. Dietary fatty acid intake is associated with the maternal milk lipid distribution and with mothers' and infant's EM fatty acids percentage.

A Longitudinal Observation of Antenatal Milk Expression in Mothers of Infants with Congenital Anomalies.

Background: For mothers of infants with congenital anomalies, antenatal milk expression (AME), known as hand expression during late pregnancy, allows mothers to contribute to their newborn's care through colostrum collection. However, research is limited by self-report of AME adherence and colostrum volume. Objective: This study examined the ability of participants to adhere to a recommended protocol on AME for any removal and measurement of colostrum during late pregnancy. Materials and Methods: A prospective, longitudinal, observational design was used. Our recommended protocol involved hand expression of 5 minutes per breast for a total of 10 minutes for each AME session twice per 24 hours for any colostrum from 37 0/7 weeks gestation until birth. Women received AME education, completed milk logs, and attempted AME. The study team verified all colostrum volumes. Results: Nineteen women (10 nulliparous) participated, with 13 (68%) carrying infants with major organ system defects and 6 (32%) carrying infants with congenital heart defects. Most participants (52.6%) completed more than half but fewer than all AME sessions. Seven participants (36.8%) fully adhered, completing two AME sessions daily until hospital admission. Eighteen participants (94.7%) could remove milk (80-100% of the time). The 24-hour colostrum volume (median 0.35 mL, interquartile range [IQR] 0.065-0.845) and the total colostrum volume (median 3.99 mL, IQR 1.35-6.82) from AME varied. Conclusions: Among a small group of women of infants with congenital anomalies, adherence to a recommended protocol is feasible but varied by AME session frequency. Most women could collect colostrum for future infant feeding.

NICU Music Therapy: Lessons Learned from a Randomized Trial

Abstract Mothers of infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are at risk for developing acute and posttraumatic stress disorder, but mothers’ positive coping may improve with progress in the infant’s well-being. There is a need to investigate complementary therapies that increase infant well-being and decrease maternal stress. A pacifier-activated lullaby (PAL) device is one evidence-based intervention to assist premature infants by playing a few bars of a lullaby after an effective suck, improving feeding behavior and shortening the length of NICU stay. The PAL may be personalized with lullabies sung and recorded by the neonate’s mother or other family. This study’s purpose was to quantify the effect of a PAL intervention on maternal stress symptoms. The experimental PAL intervention included a singing and recording session with a board-certified music therapist with NICU certification. This was a single-site randomized trial comparing the effect of maternal voice recording versus standard conditions. A total of 245 infant–mother dyads were screened; 18 mothers consented to participate and 12 were randomized to one of three conditions: mother’s recorded lullaby for PAL administration, a generic female voice used for the PAL, and no intervention. Barriers arising during the study included lengthy enrollment processes, maternal visitation patterns, and an overly ambitious study design. Despite attempts to mitigate perceived barriers, we did not achieve the enrollment necessary to perform the intended analysis. We, therefore, present lessons learned and possible solutions for future music therapy research in the interest of transparency, reducing publication bias, and replication of problematic design issues in future trials.

The Interactive Role of Music as a Facilitator for Mother–Infant Bonding in Early Motherhood

This two-part study explored if mothers’ uses of music in everyday life enhanced and facilitated the quality of mother–infant interactions, and consequently influenced maternal bonding. Study 1 was an exploratory qualitative study, which analysed the patterns of the mothers’ general uses of music and general experiences of motherhood. Study 2 analysed and explored the effects of mothers’ self-selected music on the quality of mother–infant interactions. The second study was based on a two-week trial with a mixed-method design including quantitative and qualitative approaches. It examined how mothers’ self-selected uses of music (maternal singing and listening to music) might influence parental stress, maternal attachment, and the quality of mother–infant interactions over the two-week period. The general findings suggested that mothers’ self-selected uses of music during daily mother–infant interactions can enhance face-to-face interactions. Furthermore, it served as an effective tool for promoting mothers’ sense of well-being. Finally, a cycle of three elements was observed: mothers’ musical responses influenced the infants’ musical responses by the synchrony of behavioral parameters between mother and infant.

Commentary on Verna Vazquez-Diaz de Leon “The Interactive Role of Music as a Facilitator for Mother–Infant Bonding in Early Motherhood”

The following is a commentary on Vazquez’ two-part study of mothers’ everyday uses of music and their relationships to the quality of mother-child interaction and bonding. The commentary considers how Vazquez’ findings are linked to the experiences and meanings of motherhood in modern times, including the stressors and pressures that many women experience as they begin their journeys as new mothers. The commentary presents three main points: the necessity to listen to maternal voices, the need to diversify study samples, and the recognition that mothers are a diverse group.

The Music of Matrescence: The Missing Link in our understanding of Mother-Infant Bonding through Interactive Music. A Commentary on Vazquez-Diaz de Leon (2024)

Vazquez-Diaz de Leon’s (2024) study explores mothers’ uses of music in everyday life, illuminating the potential of this reciprocal process in supporting the quality of mother–infant interactions and maternal bonding, while also supporting maternal identity, regulation and coping during motherhood. This commentary calls for further matricentric focused research that acknowledges the social and cultural context of ‘matrescence’ as a significant and transformation shift into motherhood that is largely underrepresented and warrants further exploration and discourse into how this period may intersect with mothers’ musical engagement in everyday life.

Maternal cortisol concentration is associated with reduced brain activation to infant cry and more intrusive parenting behavior

Previous research indicates that maternal cortisol function and maternal brain response to infant are each in turn related to variations in parenting behavior. However, little is known about how maternal cortisol and maternal brain function are associated, thus studying these two mechanisms together may improve our understanding of how maternal cortisol assessed during interactions with own infant is associated with brain response to infant cry. First-time mothers (N = 59) of infants aged 3–4 months old were recruited to participate. Mothers’ cortisol concentration was measured during a naturalistic interaction with their infant and their behavior was coded for two parenting behaviors-- maternal sensitivity and non-intrusiveness. In an fMRI session, mothers listened to their own infant and a control infant crying. Higher cortisol concentration was associated with more intrusive behavior. We found greater cortisol concentration was further associated with decreased activation in the brain to infant cry in the right precentral gyrus, the left culmen extending into the left inferior temporal gyrus and fusiform, two clusters in the superior temporal gyrus, and in the medial frontal gyrus. We also found that lower activation in these regions was associated with more intrusive maternal behavior. These data demonstrate the associations between maternal cortisol concentration and reduced brain activation to infant cry in both motor planning and auditory processing regions in predicting intrusive parenting behavior.

Prophylactic dextrose gel use in newborns at risk for hypoglycemia.

To assess the impact of prophylactic dextrose gel on short-term outcomes in infants at risk for hypoglycemia. Retrospective, single-center, observational study of neonates at risk for hypoglycemia -infants of diabetic mothers, large and small for gestational age infants, born between January 2015 and May 2023. Infants were categorized into two groups for analysis. 1. Pre- dextrose gel (01/2015 to 04/2018, n = 788) and 2. Dextrose gel (01/2019 to 05/2023, n = 1495). Infant demographic data and outcome variables were compared between the two groups. 2283 infants were eligible. Prophylactic dextrose gel use was associated with decreased admission rates to NICU secondary to hypoglycemia (2.7% vs. 6.5%), reduced incidence of hypoglycemia (32% vs. 43.3%), and higher exclusive breastmilk use at discharge (47% vs. 37.3%). The use of prophylactic dextrose gel in certain high-risk newborns was associated with improved patient outcomes.

Effects of kangaroo mother care combined with nurse-assisted mindfulness training for reducing stress among mothers of preterm infants hospitalized in the NICU: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundKangaroo mother care (KMC) can have a positive effect on the mental well-being of a mother. However, there are specific challenges associated with the process that may contribute to increased anxiety for the mother. By integrating nurse-assisted mindfulness training alongside KMC guidance, nurses may effectively alleviate maternal stress to a greater extent.MethodsA single-centre randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effects of KMC combined with nurse-assisted mindfulness training. The study included preterm infants with a gestational age of less than 32 weeks or a birth weight of less than 1500 g and their mothers, who were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group consisted of mothers who received KMC combined with nurse-assisted mindfulness training for 14 days. The control group comprised mothers who received only KMC for 14 days. Data from both groups were collected and compared for analysis.ResultsForty-seven infants and their mothers were included in the intervention group, whereas 44 pairs were included in the control group. After the intervention, the parental stressor scale scores for the neonatal intensive care unit (PSS: NICU) (3), PSS: NICU (4), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores for the intervention group were lower than those for the control group, whereas the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) (1), FFMQ (4), and FFMQ (5) scores for the intervention group were higher. The degree of change in the PSS: NICU and HADS scores was inversely correlated with the degree of change in the FFMQ score. The breast milk feed rate and weight gain rate were greater in the intervention group than in the control group. No adverse reactions were observed in either group.ConclusionsKangaroo mother care combined with nurse-assisted mindfulness training is an acceptable, feasible, and effective procedure for reducing anxiety in mothers of preterm infants in the NICU, with potential benefits for the short-term prognosis of these infants.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900023697, registered on June 8, 2019, retrospectively registered.

Cardiac Abnormalities in Infant of Diabetic Mothers

Cardiac Abnormalities in Infant of Diabetic Mothers

Pancreatic Ultrasound in High-risk Neonates

Pancreatic ultrasound is employed to assess the structure of the organ and diagnose various conditions. However, analyses of pancreatic images of high-risk newborn infants are scarce.Aim of the study: to investigate pancreatic echogenicity in high-risk neonates and evaluate the association between pancreatic echogenicity and clinical diagnosis.Materials and methods. This prospective observational case-control ultrasound study included 105 neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit or outpatient. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (high-risk), which included 55 high-risk neonates, and group 2 (control), which included 50 neonates of comparable age with no history of high-risk pregnancy or delivery who were presented for medical consultation. Abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed, with a focus on the pancreas. Pancreatic echogenicity was classified as hyperechoic, isoechoic, or hypoechoic, relative to the liver.Results. No significant difference in pancreatic size was observed between the high-risk and control groups. A significant predominance of hyperechogenicity over hypoechogenicity or isoechogenicity was found in the high-risk group. A significant difference in echogenicity was found between the high-risk and control groups (P=0.0001). Neonates in the control group were more likely to have pancreatic isoechogenicity (60%) compared to hyperechogenicity (34%) or hypoechogenicity (6%). In the high-risk group, neonates had a higher frequency of pancreatic hyperechogenicity (72.72%) compared to hypoechogenicity (10.9%) or isoechogenicity (16.36%). Notably, 83.3% of infants born to diabetic mothers had a hypoechogenic pattern. Certain high-risk infants, such as preterm infants and those with perinatal asphyxia, had a higher frequency of hyperechogenicity (83.3%). The percentage of hypoechoic pattern was comparable in male and female newborns (50%); isoechoic pattern was more prevalent in females (77.3%) than in males (22.2%), while males had a more frequent hyperechoic pattern (57.5%).Conclusion. Evaluation of the pancreas in high-risk neonates and monitoring of long-term outcomes are of critical importance, especially in the infants of diabetic mothers.

Efficacy of a herbal galactogogue in mothers of preterm infants ≤ 32 weeks of gestation

Efficacy of a herbal galactogogue in mothers of preterm infants ≤ 32 weeks of gestation

Impact of Maternal Health and Stress on Steroid Hormone Profiles in Human Milk: Implications for Infant Development

Steroid hormones are biologically active factors in human milk (HM) that influence the physical and mental development of infants. Critically, maternal psychosocial stress has been associated with changes in HM steroid composition. This work aimed to characterize the steroid hormone profile of HM and pasteurized donor human milk (DHM) and assess the interplay between maternal physical and psychosocial status, the HM steroid profile, and infant outcomes.A targeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed to quantify sixteen steroid hormones in HM samples. HM samples from mothers of term infants (N=42) and preterm infants (N=35) were collected at (i) recovery of birth weight or achievement of complete enteral nutrition, respectively, and (ii) 6 months later as well as DHM samples (N=19) from 11 donors. The physical and psychosocial status of mothers and infant neurodevelopment and temperament were assessed through structured interviews and validated questionnaires.Fourteen steroids were detected in HM/DHM samples, with cortisol, 20β-dihydrocortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnenolone, and cortisone being present in > 48% of samples. Pregnenolone, 17α-OH-progesterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone are reported for the first time in HM. Whereas milk cortisol levels were not directly related with maternal physical and psychosocial status nor with infant development, cortisone and pregnenolone correlated positively with maternal weight gain during pregnancy and were associated to maternal well-being and infant growth. The pasteurization process may have a detrimental effect on the steroid hormone levels in HM, what might influence the development of receptors.