Associations between Maternal Diet, Human Milk Macronutrients, and Breast-Fed Infant Growth during the First Month of Life in the SMILE Iwamizawa in Japan

Abstract

Maternal diet may affect human milk macronutrients, but it remains to be elucidated whether this is also influential in infant growth. This study aimed to examine (1) how maternal diet influences human milk macronutrients, and (2) to what extent the variation in milk macronutrients affects infant growth during the first month of life. In 71 Japanese lactating women, maternal dietary information was collected from the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire, and anthropometry of mother–infant dyads was collected from medical records. Macronutrients in milk were analyzed by a Human Milk Analyzer. Maternal retinol intake was associated with the carbohydrate content in human milk at 1-month postpartum (standardized β coefficient: 0.287; p = 0.038). Moreover, the energy content in human milk was associated with an increase in the weight standard deviation score based on the WHO growth standard at 1 month of age (standardized β coefficient: 0.399; p = 0.046). Nevertheless, the milk macronutrient was not associated with the risk of infant growth abnormalities. In conclusion, a part of the maternal diet impacts macronutrient contents in human milk, but milk macronutrients have a limited effect on infant growth only within the normal growth curve during the first month of life.

A Methodological Basis for Estimating Human Mercaptalbumin in Serum and Plasma Using a Thiol-Binding Resin

“…A validation experiment of this analytical method was conducted using fresh serum samples in the cohort of SMILE Iwamizawa (17). Eighty six serum samples were obtained from pregnant women aged 18 y and older, between June 2017 and January 2022, and they were stored at 280˚C until analysis.…”

“…Initially, proof-of-concept experiments of this analytical method were conducted using human serum and plasma samples of 4 adult volunteers. The usefulness of this analytical method was then validated using serum samples of pregnant women in the cohort of SMILE Iwamizawa (Survey on Mothers, Infants, and Children's Lives and Environments in Iwamizawa, Hokkaido, Japan) (17).…”

PsyNBIOsis: Investigating the Association between Maternal Gestational Diabetes, Mental Health, Diet and Childhood Obesity Risk: Protocol for a Prospective, Longitudinal, Observational Study

“…However, the relationship between maternal diet and fetal growth is complex and many aspects remain unclear, especially regarding the role of protein [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Thirdly, maternal diet also shapes the postpartum food environment of the offspring as it is directly associated with the macronutrients present in breastmilk, which in turn contribute to the child’s growth [ 15 , 16 ].…”

“…As mentioned above, maternal diet may influence the macronutrients present in breastmilk and, therefore, the growth of the infant. Regarding the impact of GDM, only one study shows changes in breastmilk composition in the context of maternal GDM [ 15 ]. No studies have investigated the association between maternal mental health issues and changes in breastmilk composition.…”