Work

Human milk oligosaccharide profiles remain unaffected by maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index in an observational study

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are important carbohydrates in human milk that infants cannot digest, acting as prebiotics linked to infant health. The risk of childhood obesity increases with maternal obesity, potentially mediated through the gut microbiota affected by the available HMOs. Studies on whether maternal obesity affects HMO abundance, yield conflicting results. This study aimed to investigate the HMO profile and its association with maternal obesity measured by pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and infant anthropometrics. The results were discussed in the context of existing literature. 90 human milk samples were collected at 3 months postpartum from mothers in three BMI-groups: 32 normal weight (BMI: 18.5–24.99 kg/m2), 34 overweight (BMI: 25–30 kg/m2), and 24 obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2). The samples were analyzed using nano liquid chromatography chip quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry yielding 51 HMO structures and isomers. Their peak areas were integrated and normalized to determine relative abundances. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed associations between relative HMO abundance and donors’ secretor status and specific infant anthropometric variables, but not with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI. This study does not support the hypothesis that maternal overweight influences the HMO profile and highlights the importance of reporting results despite absence of significant correlations.

Source: Frontiers in Nutrition

DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1455251

Authors: Julie Astono, Yu-Ping Huang, Ulrik Kræmer Sundekilde, Daniela Barile

Institutions: Aarhus University, University of California, Davis

Language: English

Topic: Infant Nutrition and Health

Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics

Field: Nursing

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,295