scholarly journals Human Milk Oligosaccharide Profiles over 12 Months of Lactation: The Ulm SPATZ Health Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1973
Author(s):  
Linda P. Siziba ◽  
Marko Mank ◽  
Bernd Stahl ◽  
John Gonsalves ◽  
Bernadet Blijenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Birth Cohort Study ◽  
Maternal Characteristics ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Child Health Outcomes ◽  
Secretor Status ◽  
Dose Dependent

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) have specific dose-dependent effects on child health outcomes. The HMO profile differs across mothers and is largely dependent on gene expression of specific transferase enzymes in the lactocytes. This study investigated the trajectories of absolute HMO concentrations at three time points during lactation, using a more accurate, robust, and extensively validated method for HMO quantification. We analyzed human milk sampled at 6 weeks (n = 682), 6 months (n = 448), and 12 months (n = 73) of lactation in a birth cohort study conducted in south Germany, using label-free targeted liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS2). We assessed trajectories of HMO concentrations over time and used linear mixed models to explore the effect of secretor status and milk group on these trajectories. Generalized linear model-based analysis was used to examine associations between HMOs measured at 6 weeks of lactation and maternal characteristics. Results: Overall, 74%, 18%, 7%, and 1% of human milk samples were attributed to milk groups I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Most HMO concentrations declined over lactation, but some increased. Cross-sectionally, HMOs presented high variations within milk groups and secretor groups. The trajectories of HMO concentrations during lactation were largely attributed to the milk group and secretor status. None of the other maternal characteristics were associated with the HMO concentrations. The observed changes in the HMO concentrations at different time points during lactation and variations of HMOs between milk groups warrant further investigation of their potential impact on child health outcomes. These results will aid in the evaluation and determination of adequate nutrient intakes, as well as further (or future) investigation of the dose-dependent impact of these biological components on infant and child health outcomes.

scholarly journals Free and Total Amino Acids in Human Milk in Relation to Maternal and Infant Characteristics and Infant Health Outcomes: The Ulm SPATZ Health Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 2009
Author(s):  
Joris H.J. van Sadelhoff ◽  
Linda P. Siziba ◽  
Lisa Buchenauer ◽  
Marko Mank ◽  
Selma P. Wiertsema ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Infant Development ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
Child Growth ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Maternal Characteristics ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Total Amino Acids

Free amino acids (FAAs) are important regulators of key pathways necessary for growth, development, and immunity. Data on FAAs in human milk (HM) and their roles in infant development are limited. We investigated the levels of FAAs and total amino acids (TAA, i.e., the sum of conjugated amino acids and FAAs) in HM in relation to infant and maternal characteristics and immunological conditions. FAA and TAA levels in HM sampled at 6 weeks (n = 671) and 6 months (n = 441) of lactation were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Child growth was ascertained at 4–5 weeks and at 6–7 months of age. Child allergy and lower respiratory tract infections were assessed in the first years of life. Associations of amino acid (AA) levels in HM with child growth and health outcomes were determined by Spearman correlation and modified Poisson regression, respectively. Free glutamine, glutamate, and serine in 6-week HM positively correlated with infant weight gain in the first 4–5 weeks of age. Maternal pre-pregnancy weight and body mass index (BMI) were negatively correlated with free glutamine and asparagine in 6-week and 6-month HM and positively correlated with the sum of TAAs in 6-month HM, but significance was lost following confounder adjustment. Free glutamine was lower in 6-month HM of mothers with an allergy (either active or non-active). No consistent associations were found between FAAs in HM and child health outcomes. However, potential negative associations were observed between specific FAAs and the risk of food allergy. These results suggest that specific FAAs play a role in infant growth. Moreover, these findings warrant further investigations into the relation of FAAs in HM with infant health outcomes and maternal allergy.

scholarly journals The Infant Gut Microbiota at 12 Months and Its Associations with Maternal Pre-pregnancy BMI, Human Milk Exposure and Infant BMI-for-age Z-score (OR01-05-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kameron Sugino ◽  
Sarah Comstock ◽  
Nigel Paneth
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Illumina Miseq ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Obese Women ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Child Health Outcomes ◽  
Shannon Diversity

Abstract Objectives Determine if the infant gut microbiota at 12 months of age is associated with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI or infant human milk (HM) exposure. Additionally, determine whether infant BMI z-score at 12 months is associated with the infant microbiota composition and richness at 6 and 12 months. Methods Fecal samples were collected from infants at 6 (n = 35) and 12 (n = 32) months of age. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, infant weight and height, and the amount of HM in the infant diet were self-reported. Infant BMI for age z-scores (BAZ) were calculated using WHO Anthro software. Fecal communities were analyzed by 16S rRNA (V4) sequencing on an Illumina Miseq. Results Infants who had HM at 12 months had lower microbiota richness than infants who only received it until 6 months or were not exposed. Microbial community membership (Sorensen) was also significantly different in infants who received any HM at 12 months compared to infants who only received it until 6 months or were not exposed. The 12-month microbiota was similar for infants who received HM until 6 months or had no exposure. Infant BAZ at 12 months positively correlated with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI. Fewer infants born to obese women were exposed to HM at 12 months compared to those born to normal weight women. However, HM exposure at 12 months was not associated with infant BAZ at 12 months. In the 12-month microbiota, Shannon diversity also positively correlated with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI. No alpha or beta diversity metrics of the infant microbiota at 6 months were associated with infant BAZ at 12 months. However, the Shannon diversity of the 12-month microbiota tended to be positively associated the 12-month infant BAZ. Conclusions Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was associated with higher gut microbiota diversity at 12 months of age. This increase in diversity may influence host metabolism, providing a mechanistic link for elevated BAZ in infants whose mothers had an elevated BMI prior to becoming pregnant. Funding Sources Michigan State AgBioResearch, Child Health Advances through Research with Mothers, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, and the NIH Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program (Prenatal Exposures and Child Health Outcomes: A Statewide Study (UG3 OD023285)).

scholarly journals In-utero exposure to antihypertensive medication and neonatal and child health outcomes

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (11) ◽  
pp. 2123-2137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine A. Fitton ◽  
Markus F.C. Steiner ◽  
Lorna Aucott ◽  
Jill P. Pell ◽  
Daniel F. Mackay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Antihypertensive Medication ◽  
In Utero ◽  
In Utero Exposure ◽  
Child Health Outcomes ◽  
And Child Health

scholarly journals Prevalence and Correlates of Vitamin D Deficiency among Young South African Infants: A Birth Cohort Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1500
Author(s):  
Jabulani R. Ncayiyana ◽  
Leonardo Martinez ◽  
Elizabeth Goddard ◽  
Landon Myer ◽  
Heather J. Zar
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Birth Cohort Study ◽  
Young Infants

Early-life vitamin D deficiency is associated with adverse child health outcomes, but the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its correlates in infants remains underexplored, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its correlates among young infants in South Africa. This study included 744 infants, aged 6–10 weeks from the Drakenstein Child Health Study, a population-based birth cohort. Infants were categorized into distinct categories based on serum 25(OH)D concentration level including deficient (<50 nmol/L), insufficient (50–74 nmol/L), and sufficient (≥75 nmol/L). Using multivariable Tobit and logistic regression models, we examined the correlates of serum 25(OH)D3 levels. The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 81% (95% confidence intervals (CI]) 78–83). Multivariable regression analysis showed that serum 25(OH)D3 concentration was independently associated with study site, socioeconomic status, and sex. Birth in winter and breastfeeding were the strongest predictors of lower serum 25(OH)D3 concentration levels. Compared to non-breastfed children, children breastfed were at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency (AOR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.04–3.67) and breastfeeding for more than one month was associated with greater likelihood of vitamin D deficiency (AOR, 5.40; 95% CI, 2.37–12.32) and lower vitamin D concentrations (−16.22 nmol/L; 95% CI, −21.06, −11.39). Vitamin D deficiency in infants is ubiquitous, under-recognised, and strongly associated with season of birth and breastfeeding in this setting. Nutritional interventions with vitamin D supplementation in national health programs in low- and middle-income countries are urgently needed to improve early-life vitamin D status in infants.

Liberalising Health-seeking Behaviour of the Johanne Marange Apostolic Sect in Manicaland, Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
pp. 097206342110652
Author(s):  
Steven Masvaure
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Child Health Outcomes ◽  
Women And Children ◽  
Religious Sects ◽  
And Child Health ◽  
Apostolic Church

Religious rights as enshrined in the Zimbabwean constitution are sacrosanct, however, when church doctrine bars followers from seeking modern medical care, they start infringing on health rights especially of the ‘lesser beings’ the women and children who are members of these religious sects. The ‘lesser beings’ are bearing the brunt of high maternal and neonatal mortality as they depend on unsafe traditional birth attendants and unconventional medicine. This study is ethnographic and presents lessons learnt from a programme aiming to improve maternal, newborn and child health outcomes among the Apostolic Church of Johanne Marange members in Manicaland province, Zimbabwe. The findings show that despite the stringent doctrine and barriers placed on apostolic members who want to access conventional medicine, the women and children are using clandestine approaches to circumvent the doctrine and barriers. This article argues that a barrage of unconventional and conventional approaches can lead to changes in health-seeking behaviour of the apostolic church and ultimately maternal and child health outcomes. The article argues that the intransigence of the apostolic can only be overcome by covert approaches to providing health services and save lives.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document