Human Milk Composition

Abstract

Synopsis The composition of human milk is the biologic norm for infant nutrition. Human milk also contains many hundreds to thousands of distinct bioactive molecules that protect against infection and inflammation and contribute to immune maturation, organ development, and healthy microbial colonization. Some of these molecules, e.g., lactoferrin, are being investigated as novel therapeutic agents. A dynamic, bioactive fluid, human milk changes in composition from colostrum to late lactation, and varies within feeds, diurnally, and between mothers. Feeding infants with expressed human milk is increasing. Pasteurized donor milk is now commonly provided to high risk infants and most mothers in the U.S. express and freeze their milk at some point in lactation for future infant feedings. Many milk proteins are degraded by heat treatment and freeze-thaw cycles may not have the same bioactivity after undergoing these treatments. This article provides an overview of the composition of human milk, sources of its variation, and its clinical relevance.

Human milk fortification strategies for improved in-hospital growth of preterm infants

“…Mature human milk (from mothers who delivered at term) contains approximately 65 to 70 kcal (273 to 294 kJ), 0.9 to 1.2 g protein, 3.2 to 3.6 g fat and 6.7 to 7.8 g carbohydrates per 100 ml. 11 The biggest variations in macronutrient content occur in the fat component, with hind milk having higher concentrations of fat than foremilk. Furthermore, milk from mothers who have delivered prematurely (preterm milk) differs from mature milk.…”

“…Levels of protein, fat and sodium decline over time until they are similar to those seen in mature milk. 7,11,12 Challenges in the use of human milk for the premature infant include the availability of mother's own milk, sustainability of expressing milk when infants are not feeding on the breast, the effect of pasteurisation on the nutritional and immunological content of donor milk, and transmission of viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus. The most important challenge is probably that unfortified human milk does not meet the nutritional requirements of most preterm infants.…”

Maternal residential pesticide use and risk of childhood leukemia in Costa Rica

“…However, our results do not show that breastmilk itself contains pesticide residues and an alternative interpretation is that the period of a child's life when breastmilk is consumed may be a time of particular susceptibility to pesticides and other environmental toxins. Breastmilk is an important nutrition source for infants34 and breastfeeding has been associated with numerous health benefits,35 including a reduced risk of childhood acute leukemia among breastfed infants,36 and should never be discouraged. Practices and policies aimed at minimizing the use of pesticides while breastfeeding and during early childhood are warranted to protect children's health.…”

Fatores associados às enteroparasitoses em crianças usuárias de creches comunitárias

“…Segundo Cacho & Lawrence 27 , o leite materno protege as crianças contra infecções devido ao fato de apresentar compostos com ação antimicrobiana, anti-inflamatória, imunomoduladora, além de leucócitos. Devido à imaturidade do sistema imune, o recém-nascido é mais vulnerável às infecções, sendo fundamental a proteção conferida pela amamentação 28 . Substâncias imunológicas e fatores de crescimento presente no colostro e no leite materno protegem a mucosa intestinal contra a invasão de patógenos 24,27,28 e portanto, reduzem os riscos de infecção enteroparasitária.…”