CONNECT WITH US
HealthTech

HealthTech

Breast milk fatty acids linked to infant motor development

Medical Xpress logo

Published on

Add as a preferred source on Google
Breast milk fatty acids linked to infant motor development

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

A new study has found an association between odd- and branched-chain fatty acid (OBCFA) levels in breast milk and infant motor development, providing new population-based evidence for research on early-life nutrition and neurodevelopment.

The study, published in European Journal of Nutrition on Oct. 31, was conducted by a research team led by professor Gao Ying at the Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health (SINH) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

OBCFAs, including fatty acids such as C15:0, C17:0, iso-C15:0 and anteiso-C15:0, are microbial metabolites. Their main dietary sources are dairy products and ruminant meat, as well as fermented plant-based foods; they have previously been regarded as biomarkers of dairy intake.

Existing studies suggest that OBCFAs may influence brain health through the "microbiota–gut–brain axis," but population-level evidence on the relationship between OBCFAs in breast milk and infant neurodevelopment remains limited.

Based on a prospective mother-infant cohort established in the Beijing area, the research team followed up with 120 mother-infant pairs, collecting breast milk samples at 42 days and 8 months postpartum. Fatty acid composition was quantitatively analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and infants' cognitive and motor development at 8 months of age was assessed using the internationally recognized Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Third Edition).

The study found that higher levels of odd-chain fatty acids (C15:0, C17:0) and total OBCFAs in breast milk at both 42 days and 8 months postpartum were associated with lower motor development scores in infants.


Source link
Related Topics:HealthTech

Disclaimer

We strive to uphold the highest ethical standards in all of our reporting and coverage. We TheMorningPulse.fyi want to be transparent with our readers about any potential conflicts of interest that may arise in our work. It's possible that some of the investors we feature may have connections to other businesses, including competitors or companies we write about. However, we want to assure our readers that this will not have any impact on the integrity or impartiality of our reporting. We are committed to delivering accurate, unbiased news and information to our audience, and we will continue to uphold our ethics and principles in all of our work. Thank you for your trust and support.