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Polyamines in human breast milk for preterm and term infants

J Plaza-Zamora1, M Sabater-Molina, M Rodríguez-Palmero

  • 1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain.

The British Journal of Nutrition
|January 5, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Human milk for preterm infants contains higher polyamine concentrations than milk for term infants. These polyamine levels may significantly influence the gut development of premature babies.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal nutrition
  • Human milk composition
  • Gut development

Background:

  • Maternal milk is the primary source of exogenous polyamines for newborns.
  • Polyamines are known to modulate gut maturation in neonates.
  • Limited data exists on polyamine concentrations in human milk for preterm infants, despite their potential importance for immature guts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify and compare polyamine concentrations in human milk from mothers of preterm and term infants during the first month of lactation.
  • To investigate potential differences in polyamine profiles that could impact neonatal gut development.

Main Methods:

  • Human milk samples were collected from mothers with preterm (n=27) and term (n=12) infants during the first month postpartum.
  • Polyamine concentrations in milk samples were determined using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

Main Results:

  • Total polyamine concentration was significantly higher in milk from mothers of preterm infants compared to those with term infants (7590 vs. 4660 nmol/l, P=0.034).
  • Individual polyamine concentrations and concentrations in mature milk were also significantly higher in preterm milk.
  • The spermidine/spermine ratio differed between preterm and term milk, being higher in transition milk and lower in mature milk for preterm infants.

Conclusions:

  • Human milk for preterm infants exhibits significantly higher polyamine concentrations than milk for term infants.
  • Observed differences in polyamine levels and ratios may play a crucial role in the gut development of premature infants.

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