Effects of breastfeeding on the risk factors for metabolic syndrome in preterm infants

Area of Science:

• Neonatal nutrition and metabolism
• Pediatric metabolic health
• Infant feeding practices

Background:

• Breastfeeding is linked to reduced metabolic syndrome (MS) risk in adulthood.
• Early life nutrition significantly impacts long-term metabolic health.
• Preterm infants represent a unique population for studying early feeding effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how feeding type (breast milk vs. mixed-feeding) affects metabolic syndrome risk factors in preterm infants.
• To compare insulin sensitivity, lipid profiles, and apolipoprotein metabolism between breast milk-fed and mixed-fed preterm infants.
• To assess the early postnatal influence of feeding on markers of metabolic syndrome.

Main Methods:

• Preterm infants were categorized into breast milk (BM) or mixed-fed (MF) groups at discharge.
• Blood samples analyzed for glucose, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), LDLc, HDLc, apoA1, and apoB.
• Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) calculated; lipid and apolipoprotein ratios determined.

Main Results:

• Higher insulin sensitivity (QUICKI) observed in the breast milk group.
• Lower-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) and apolipoprotein-B (apoB) levels were significantly higher in the breast milk group.
• Metabolic syndrome-related ratios (TC/HDLc, LDLc/HDLc, apoB/apoA1) were significantly elevated in the breast milk group.

Conclusions:

• Early postnatal feeding type influences glucose, lipid, and apolipoprotein metabolism in preterm infants.
• Breast milk feeding in preterm infants is associated with improved insulin sensitivity but also higher LDL cholesterol and related ratios.
• These findings highlight the complex impact of early nutrition on metabolic syndrome risk markers in vulnerable preterm populations.