Serum fatty acids in infants, reflecting family fish consumption, were inversely associated with allergy development but not related to farm residence

Jönsson, Karin; Barman, Malin; Moberg, Sara; Sjöberg, Agneta; Brekke, Hilde Kristin; Hesselmar, Bill; Sandberg, Ann‐Sofie; Wold, Agnes E.

doi:10.1111/apa.13592

Cited by 14 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Odd-chain FA%, middle-chain FA% and, to a lesser extent, n-3 FA% in milk showed strong associations to infant PL. The stronger correlation of milk n-3 FA% to infant serum metabolites compared to milk n-6 FA% [ 15 ] in month 4 and the missing associations of long-chain saturated and mono-unsaturated FA% in milk to infant FA% were described previously [ 12 , 13 ]. Kankaanpää et al showed that serum lipid fatty acids in atopic infants did not correlate with those in maternal breast milk [ 12 ], but other trials also report strong correlations between milk trans-FA%, n-3 FA%, and n-6 FA% and infant serum FA% of PL [ 12 , 17 , 62 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Several studies have described the effects of maternal dietary fat intake during lactation or milk fatty acid (FA) composition on offspring health, e.g. growth [ 6 – 8 ], neurodevelopment [ 9 , 10 ], and the risks of atopic diseases [ 11 , 12 ] and allergy [ 13 , 14 ], but little is known on the direct effect on infant metabolism. The few association studies are limited to fatty acid percentages (FA%) of maternal milk in relation to FA% in the infant blood [ 12 , 15 – 17 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The impact of human breast milk components on the infant metabolism

et al. 2018

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Background & aimsBreastfeeding is beneficial for mothers and infants. Underlying mechanisms and biochemical mediators thus need to be investigated to develop and support improved infant nutrition practices promoting the child health. We analysed the relation between maternal breast milk composition and infant metabolism.Methods196 pairs of mothers and infants from a European research project (PreventCD) were studied. Maternal milk samples collected at month 1 and month 4 after birth were analysed for macronutrient classes, hormone, and fatty acid (FA) content. Phospholipids, acylcarnitines, and amino acids were measured in serum samples of 4-month old infants. Associations between milk components and infant metabolites were analysed with spearman correlation and linear mixed effect models (LME). P-values were corrected for multiple testing (PLME).ResultsMonth 1 milk protein content was strongly associated with infant serum lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC) 14:0 (PLME = 0.009). Month 1 milk insulin was associated to infant acetylcarnitine (PLME = 0.01). There were no associations between milk protein content and serum amino acids and milk total fat content and serum polar lipids. Middle- and odd-chain FA% in breast milk at both ages were significantly related to serum LPC and sphingomyelins (SM) species in infant serum (all PLME<0.05), while FA% 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 percentages were significantly associated to serum LPC 22:6 (PLME = 1.91×10−4/7.93×10−5) in milk only at month 4. Other polyunsaturated fatty acids and hormones in milk showed only weak associations with infant serum metabolites.ConclusionsInfant serum LPC are influenced by breast milk FA composition and, intriguingly, milk protein content in early but not late lactation. LPC 14:0, previously found positively associated with obesity risk, was the serum metabolite which was the most strongly associated to milk protein content. Thus, LPC 14:0 might be a key metabolite not only reflecting milk protein intake in infants, but also relating high protein content in milk or infant formula to childhood obesity risk.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of human breast milk components on the infant metabolism

et al. 2018

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“…In particular, delayed introduction of fish has repeatedly been associated with a higher risk of developing different atopic diseases [22–29]. Accordingly, in the FARMFLORA birth cohort we found an inverse relationship between the proportions of the fish fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in the sera of four-month-old infants and the risk of subsequent allergy development [30]. The proportions of EPA in the infants’ sera correlated with maternal breast milk EPA, which, in turn, correlated with the mother’s fish intake [30].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Accordingly, in the FARMFLORA birth cohort we found an inverse relationship between the proportions of the fish fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in the sera of four-month-old infants and the risk of subsequent allergy development [30]. The proportions of EPA in the infants’ sera correlated with maternal breast milk EPA, which, in turn, correlated with the mother’s fish intake [30]. Also late introduction of eggs has been associated with an increased risk of developing asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic sensitization, as shown by Nwaru and coworkers [29].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Late introduction of fish and eggs is associated with increased risk of allergy development – results from the FARMFLORA birth cohort

Jönsson

Barman

Brekke

et al. 2017

Food & Nutrition Research

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The prevalence of allergy is markedly low in children growing up on farms. An increasing number of studies indicate that the timing of food introduction may affect allergy development. We aimed to investigate if protection against allergy in farm environments may be mediated through differences in food-introduction practices between farm and non-farm families, using an explorative approach. Twenty-eight farm and 37 non-farm children were included in the FARMFLORA birth cohort. Practices of breastfeeding and introduction of formulas and complementary foods were collected by questionnaires at 6, 12, and 18 months of age. Allergy was diagnosed by pediatricians at 3 years of age. The only difference in food-introduction practices observed between farm and non-farm children was an earlier introduction of nuts in farmers (median month: 11 [IQR: 8–6] in farmers, 15 [12–19] in non-farmers). One farm child (4%) and 10 non-farm children (27%) were allergic at 3 years of age. Lower risk of allergy development was associated with early exclusive breastfeeding (continuous variable; OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.39–0.89), but also having received eggs (OR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.13–0.54) and fish (logistic regression not applicable, P = 0.01 in likelihood ratio testing [χ2]) at 10 months of age or earlier compared to later. Our results were not affected by reverse causation, as judged by a questionnaire sent to the families in retrospect. Timing of introduction of complementary foods is unlikely to contribute to the lower risk of allergy among farm children. Although early exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a lower rate of allergy development, postponed introduction of complementary foods might increase the risk of developing allergy. Owing to the limited sample size, our results are only indicative, but support prior findings.

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“…Readers may also be interested in the paper by Karin Jonsson et al. who found that serum fatty acids in infants, reflecting family fish consumption, were inversely associated with allergy development, but not related to farm residence .…”

Section: Exploring the Allergic Marchmentioning

confidence: 99%