Excessive weight gain during full breast-feeding.
Maria Grunewald1, Christian Hellmuth, Hans Demmelmair
1Division of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism
|October 11, 2014
Summary
High protein content in breast milk may lead to excessive infant weight gain. This case study suggests variations in milk composition, specifically protein and adiponectin, could influence infant growth patterns, warranting further research.
Area of Science:
- Human lactation and infant nutrition.
- Pediatric endocrinology and growth studies.
Background:
- Breast-feeding is recognized for providing optimal infant nutrition and is linked to reduced obesity.
- However, this case highlights potential risks associated with specific human milk compositions.
Observation:
- An infant born macrosomic experienced rapid, excessive weight gain exceeding the 97th percentile while exclusively breast-fed.
- Weight gain slowed significantly after the introduction of complementary foods, reducing breast milk intake.
Findings:
- Human milk analysis revealed normal levels of lactose, fat, insulin, and carnitine species.
- Elevated adiponectin and significantly higher protein content (1.25 g/dl vs. reference 0.8 g/dl) were observed.
Implications:
- High protein intake in infancy can increase insulin, IGF-1, and promote weight gain, potentially leading to later obesity.
- Interindividual variations in human milk protein and adiponectin may modulate infant growth, contributing to excessive weight gain in some cases.
- Further cohort studies are needed to validate these findings.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
1.5K
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.5K
01:21Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
353
In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
353
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
1.0K
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
1.0K
01:20Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion
317
Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
317
01:27Signs of Puberty
2.1K
Puberty is a critical phase, typically beginning between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys, though timing can vary based on genetics, environmental factors, and overall health. This period is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the attainment of reproductive potential. Endocrine changes underpin puberty, with hormonal surges of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) instigated by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)...
2.1K
01:12The Mammary Glands
3.2K
The female breast is a hemispheric projection of variable size positioned anterior to the pectoralis major and serratus anterior muscles. A fascia layer composed of dense, irregular connective tissue connects it to these muscles.
Each breast features a pigmented projection known as the nipple, through which milk emerges via closely spaced openings of ducts, referred to as lactiferous ducts. Surrounding the nipple is a circular pigmented area of skin named the areola, which appears rough due to...
Each breast features a pigmented projection known as the nipple, through which milk emerges via closely spaced openings of ducts, referred to as lactiferous ducts. Surrounding the nipple is a circular pigmented area of skin named the areola, which appears rough due to...
3.2K