Temporal Progression of Fatty Acids in Preterm and Term Human Milk of Mothers from Switzerland

Abstract

We longitudinally compared fatty acids (FA) from human milk (HM) of mothers delivering term and preterm infants. HM was collected for 4 months postpartum at 12 time points for preterm and for 2 months postpartum at 8 time points for term group. Samples were collected from the first feed of the morning, and single breast was fully expressed. FA were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector. Oleic, palmitic and linoleic acids were the most abundant FA across lactation and in both groups. Preterm colostrum contained significantly (p < 0.05) higher 8:0, 10:0, 12:0, sum medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), 18:3 n-3 FA compared to term counterparts. Preterm mature milk contained significantly higher 12:0, 14:0, 18:2 n-6, sum saturated fatty acids (SFA), and sum MCFA. We did not observe any significant differences between the preterm and term groups for docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid at any stage of lactation. Overall, preterm milk was higher for SFA with a major contribution from MCFA and higher in 18:2 n-6. These observational differences needs to be studied further for their implications on preterm developmental outcomes and on fortification strategies of either mothers’ own milk or donor human milk.

Human milk pasteurisation reduces pre-lipolysis but not digestive lipolysis and moderately decreases intestinal lipid uptake in a combination of preterm infant in vitro models

“…Regarding lipid profile, oleic and palmitic acids were the most abundant FA in both PHM and RHM in our study, which is in accordance with recent literature (Thakkar et al, 2019).…”

Current evidence and outcomes for retinopathy of prematurity prevention: insight into novel maternal and placental contributions

“…Perinatal inflammation [105][106][107] and nutritional deficiencies [108][109][110] are postulated to render the developing retina more susceptible to ROP pathogenesis. Nutritional deficiencies in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), inositol, vitamins A, E, and D supplied in human breast milk (BM) are known to increase inflammation and oxidative stress and therefore these processes are likely inter-related.…”

“…Human BM contains immunoglobulins, digestive enzymes, important nutrients such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and inositol, as well as maternally transferred vitamins such as vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, riboflavin and niacin, and most studies show a decreased association of ROP in preterm infants fed mothers milk [115][116][117][118]. However there may be nutritional differences in preterm and term BM that can affect clinical outcomes [108]. We are beginning to quantify these differences and optimize our abilities to provide preterm infants with key nutritional components in BM [119,120].…”

Novel approach to visualize the inter-dependencies between maternal sensitization, breast milk immune components and human milk oligosaccharides in the LIFE Child cohort

“…, Lacto-N-neofucopentaose (LNnFP)) Blood group H antigen pentaose type 1 (LNFP-I), blood group A antigen tetraose type 5 (PI-HMO) were selected because there are the ten HMO that can be quantified with their own standards and were measured by UHPLC as previously described [21]. Breast milk fatty acids (6:0, 8:0, 10:0, 12:0, 14:0, 16:0, 16:1.n-7, 18:0, trans-18:1, 18:1.n-9, 18:1.n-7,18:2.n-6, 18.3.n-3, 18.3.n-6, 20:0, 20:1.n-9, 20:2.n-6, 20:3.n-6, 22:1.n-9, 20:4.n-6, 20:5.n-3,22:6.n-3, 24:0, 24:1.n-9) were measured using previously published methods [22,23]. Total fatty acids (total Fat) levels were calculated as the sum of individual fatty acids.…”