Impact of Maternal Anxiety on Human Milk Macronutrients Content: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Objective: The impact of maternal anxiety on the macronutrients content of human milk (HM) is unknown. We hypothesized that maternal stress generated by her infant's hospitalization will affect the mother's breast milk's macronutrients content. Materials and Methods: HM samples (2-3 mL) were collected from 21 mothers whose infants were hospitalized for 2-3 days between August 2016 and November 2017 due to neonatal fever. Samples were provided at three time points: first day of admission, second day of admission, and 1 week after discharge. The maternal anxiety level was measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Milk analyses for macronutrients were performed by infrared transmission spectroscopy. Results: Fat and energy contents of HM on day 7 were significantly higher compared with the day of admission (p = 0.019 and p = 0.022, respectively), whereas they were similar to values on day 2. The maternal anxiety level (STAI) at the time of infant admission was significantly higher than at 1 week after discharge (p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between the changes in fat content and changes in the STAI score between admission and 1 week after discharge. Conclusion: Short infant hospitalization is associated with a significant rise in maternal stress; however, macronutrients content of HM remained unaffected.

Effects of Maternal Stress on Breast Milk Production and the Microbiota of Very Premature Infants

“…In line with the results of other studies [ 44 , 45 ], maternal stress did not alter the macronutrient content of MOM [ 44 , 45 ]. Other authors have reported that in conditions of acute stress, in which cortisol levels increase, milk contains lower levels of carbohydrates and higher levels of fat, while in chronic stress conditions, fat levels in milk decrease [ 46 ].…”