Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026
04:35
Rapid Isolation of Human Breast Milk-Derived Extracellular Vesicles
Published on: November 14, 2025
347
Breast Milk for Preterm Multiples: More Proteins, Less Lactose
Marco Congiu1, Alessandra Reali1, Federica Deidda2
1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, AOU and University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy.
Summary
Breast milk (BM) composition differs for mothers of multiples, offering higher protein and lower lactose for vulnerable newborns. This unique BM profile supports growth and development in premature infants from multiple births.
Area of Science:
- Human Nutrition
- Neonatology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for infants up to six months due to breast milk's unique composition and benefits.
- Breast milk (BM) composition dynamically adapts to the infant's needs based on gestational age (GA) and demands during lactation.
- Multiple births, comprising about 3% of pregnancies, result in vulnerable neonates with lower gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW), often experiencing perinatal complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the composition of breast milk (BM) from mothers of preterm multiples (twins and triplets) with that of mothers of preterm singletons.
- To identify specific nutritional differences in BM that may support the growth and development of vulnerable infants born from multiple gestations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of breast milk (BM) samples collected from mothers of 19 twins and 5 triplets (GA < 33 weeks, BW < 1500 g).
- Comparison of BM composition (protein, lactose) with a control group of 28 preterm singletons.
- Statistical analysis to determine factors influencing BM composition, particularly gestational age (GA).
Main Results:
- At GA ≤ 28 weeks, BM from mothers of multiples exhibited higher protein content (1.53 vs. 1.29 g/100 ml) compared to singletons.
- BM from mothers of singletons showed greater lactose concentration (6.72 vs. 6.34 g/100 ml) than BM from mothers of multiples.
- Gestational age (GA) was identified as the most significant factor affecting BM protein composition.
Conclusions:
- Breast milk (BM) for multiples is characterized by higher protein and lower lactose concentrations compared to singletons.
- These compositional differences in BM for multiples may play a crucial role in promoting growth and organ development in vulnerable preterm infants.
- Findings support optimizing nutritional strategies and individualized fortification of BM for infants from multiple births.
Keywords:
BreastfeedingNeonatal Intensive Care Unitmultiplespreterm newbornsquadrupletssingletonstripletstwinsMore Related Videos
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