Variations in the nutritional composition of breast milk

[Variations in the nutritional composition of breast milk]
DOI: 10.37980/im.journal.rspp.20242390
Published
2024-08-31

Authors

  • Luis Felipe Barrios Saavedra Departamento de Neonatología, Hospital del Niño Dr. José Renán Esquivel, Panamá, Rep. de Panamá

Keywords:

Lactancia materna, lactancia humana, composición bioquímica, análisis

Keywords:

breastfeeding, biochemical composition, analysis

Abstract

La complejidad de la composición de la leche humana es aún motivo de estudio, tanto a nivel de macronutrientes (carbohidratos, proteínas y lípidos), como de micronutrientes (minerales y vitaminas), así como de los elementos no nutricionales que cumplen un sinnúmero de funciones (anticuerpos, oligosacáridos, microbiota, otros). La evidencia demuestra que la composición varía a través del tiempo de forma tal que se reconocen etapas en la producción de leche materna. También se han establecido variaciones interindividuales entre las madres de neonatos prematuros o madres que acuden a ordeñarse en los bancos de leche cuando su hijo se encuentra hospitalizado. Estas variaciones son motivo de intensas investigaciones para determinar su impacto en la salud del lactante y determinar la necesidad de intervenciones como la fortificación o la suplementación de la nutrición durante la hospitalización. De igual importancia es reconocer factores epidemiológicos que permitan identificar madres en riesgo de presentar variaciones negativas de la composición de la leche que producen.


Abstract

The complexity of the composition of human milk is still under study, both at the level of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and lipids) and micronutrients (minerals and vitamins), as well as non-nutritional elements that fulfill a number of functions (antibodies, oligosaccharides, microbiota, etc.). Evidence shows that the composition varies over time in such a way that stages in the production of breast milk can be recognized. Interindividual variations have also been established among mothers of premature infants or mothers who come to milk at milk banks when their infant is hospitalized. These variations are the subject of intensive research to determine their impact on infant health and to determine the need for interventions such as nutrition fortification or supplementation during hospitalization. Equally important is the recognition of epidemiological factors to identify mothers at risk for negative variations in the composition of the milk they produce.

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