Breastmilk from obese mothers has pro-inflammatory properties and decreased neuroprotective factors

Abstract

Objective: To determine the impact of maternal obesity on breastmilk composition.

Study design: Breastmilk and food records from 21 lean and 21 obese women who delivered full-term infants were analyzed at 2 months post-partum. Infant growth and adiposity were measured at birth and 2 months of age.

Result: Breastmilk from obese mothers had higher omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio and lower concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docasapentaenoic acid and lutein compared with lean mothers (P<0.05), which were strongly associated with maternal body mass index. Breastmilk saturated fatty acid and monounsaturated fatty acid concentrations were positively associated with maternal dietary inflammation, as measured by dietary inflammatory index. There were no differences in infant growth measurements.

Conclusion: Breastmilk from obese mothers has a pro-inflammatory fatty acid profile and decreased concentrations of fatty acids and carotenoids that have been shown to have a critical role in early visual and neurodevelopment. Studies are needed to determine the link between these early-life influences and subsequent cardiometabolic and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Figures

Figure 1

Associations of breastmilk fatty acid and carotenoid composition. (a) Maternal DII is associated with the concentration of breastmilk saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and breastmilk monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). (b–e) Maternal BMI is associated with breastmilk concentrations of n6:n3 fatty acid ratio (b), EPA (c), DHA (d) and lutein (e). BM, breastmilk; BMI, body mass index; DHA, docosahexaenoic acid; DII, Dietary Inflammatory Index; EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid.