Association between Breastmilk LC PUFA, Carotenoids and Psychomotor Development of Exclusively Breastfed Infants

Monika A. Zielinska, Jadwiga Hamulka, Iwona Grabowicz-Chądrzyńska, Joanna Bryś and Aleksandra Wesolowska
Additional contact information
Monika A. Zielinska: Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 159 Nowoursynowska St., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Jadwiga Hamulka: Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 159 Nowoursynowska St., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Iwona Grabowicz-Chądrzyńska: Psychological-Pedagogical Counselling Centre No 12, Dzielna St. 1a, 00-162 Warsaw, Poland
Joanna Bryś: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Food Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Nowoursynowska St. 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Aleksandra Wesolowska: Laboratory of Human Milk and Lactation Research at Regional Human Milk Bank in Holy Family Hospital, Department of Neonatology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, 63A Zwirki i Wigury St., 02-091 Warsaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-18

Abstract: The first months of infant life are crucial for proper neurodevelopment, which may be influenced by several factors, including nutrition and nutrients (e.g., long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC PUFA) and carotenoids) of which the concentration in breastmilk is diet-dependent. This study analysed the relationship between the average concentrations of selected LC PUFA and carotenoids in breastmilk samples from the first and third months of lactation and the psychomotor development of exclusively breastfed infants at the sixth month of life. Infant psychomotor development was assessed using the Children Development Scale (DSR). The average age of infants during the assessment was 6.6 ± 0.2 months and 30.9 ± 3.8 years for mothers ( n = 39 mother–infant pairs). The average concentration of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was 0.50% of fatty acids. The average concentration of carotenoids was 33.3 nmol/L for β-carotene, 121 nmol/L for lycopene and 33.3 nmol/L for lutein + zeaxanthin. The total results of the Performance scale and Motor subscale were 39 centiles and 4.1 points, respectively. Adjusted multivariate regression models revealed associations between breastmilk DHA and motor development ( β = 0.275; p ≤ 0.05), α-linolenic acid (ALA; β = 0.432; p ≤ 0.05), n -3 LC PUFA ( β = 0.423; p ≤ 0.05) and β-carotene ( β = 0.359; p ≤ 0.05). In addition, an association between the Perception subscale and DHA was observed ( β = 0.316; p ≤ 0.05; model 2). There were no significant associations between the overall Performance scale scores. Due to the positive association between concentrations of n -3 LC PUFA (ALA and DHA) and β-carotene in breastmilk and infant motor development, it is important to provide these nutrients with breastmilk. According to the diet-dependent concentration of these compounds in breastmilk, breastfeeding mothers should have a diet abundant in dietary sources of these nutrients, e.g., fish, nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, vegetables and fruits.

Keywords: arachidonic acid (AA); ?-linolenic acid (ALA); docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); linoleic acid (LA); lutein; ?-carotene; lycopene; human milk; mature milk; motor development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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