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Updated: Jan 19, 2026

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo
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Relationship between the lipid composition of maternal plasma and infant plasma through breast milk

Samuel Furse1, Georgia Billing2, Stuart G Snowden1

  • 1Core Metabolomics and Lipidomics Laboratory, Wellcome Trust-MRC, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, c/o Level 4 Pathology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.

Metabolomics : Official Journal of the Metabolomic Society
|September 27, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Infant plasma lipids linked to development are associated with maternal circulation lipids. This suggests maternal diet may influence infant lipid profiles and development.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Human Physiology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Infant development is known to correlate with specific plasma lipid profiles.
  • The influence of maternal dietary intake on infant lipid biomarkers is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that maternal dietary intake influences the abundance of candidate lipid biomarkers in infant plasma.
  • To explore the relationship between maternal and infant lipid profiles in exclusively breastfeeding mother-infant pairs.

Main Methods:

  • Observational study of 30 exclusively breastfeeding mother-infant pairs in West Africa.
  • Collection of maternal plasma, milk, and infant plasma within 24 hours and 3 months postpartum.
  • Lipid, sterol, and glyceride composition analysis using direct infusion mass spectrometry (MS) and statistical testing.

Main Results:

  • Maternal and infant plasma lipid profiles are similar yet distinct, and both differ from milk composition.
  • Specific lipids like Phosphatidylcholines (PC) and cholesteryl esters (CEs) were more abundant in mothers, while triglycerides (TGs) were higher in infants.
  • A latent structure model indicated that infant plasma biomarkers cluster with maternal cholesteryl esters.

Conclusions:

  • The abundance of specific lipid isoforms associated with infant development is linked to maternal circulation lipid species.
  • Findings suggest a connection between maternal lipid profiles and infant development, potentially mediated by diet.
Abstract

Keywords:
BreastfeedingCandidate biomarkersGlyceridesInfant developmentLipids

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