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Diurnal rhythmicity in breast-milk glucocorticoids, and infant behavior and sleep at age 3 months

Alyssa A Toorop1, Bibian van der Voorn1,2, Jonneke J Hollanders1

  • 1Emma Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Endocrine
|April 11, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Breast-milk glucocorticoid (GC) rhythmicity at one month postpartum did not correlate with infant behavior or sleep at three months. Previous findings on breast-milk cortisol and infant development may require re-evaluation due to diurnal variations.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Perinatal Health

Background:

  • Previous research suggested links between single breast-milk cortisol measurements and infant neurodevelopment.
  • Emerging evidence highlights the diurnal rhythm of breast-milk cortisol and cortisone, mirroring the maternal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis.
  • This diurnal pattern, with peaks in the morning and troughs at midnight, necessitates a re-examination of previous findings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between the diurnal rhythm of breast-milk glucocorticoids (GCs) and infant behavior and sleep.
  • To explore potential influences of maternal psychological distress on these associations.
  • To determine if GC rhythm parameters predict infant outcomes at three months postpartum.

Main Methods:

  • Fifty-nine mothers and infants were studied, with 17 mothers having a history of psychological distress during pregnancy.
  • Breast milk samples were collected approximately six times over 24 hours at one month postpartum for cortisol and cortisone analysis (LC-MS/MS).
  • Infant behavior and sleep patterns were assessed at three months postpartum using validated questionnaires, with statistical analyses performed using linear regression.

Main Results:

  • No consistent associations were identified between breast-milk GC rhythm parameters (maximum, delta, Area Under the Curve increase and ground) and infant behavior.
  • Similarly, no significant associations were found between breast-milk GC rhythm parameters and infant sleep patterns.
  • Maternal distress levels did not appear to mediate or moderate the observed null findings.

Conclusions:

  • Breast-milk GC rhythmicity at one month postpartum is not associated with infant behavior or sleep at three months postpartum.
  • Previous studies linking breast-milk cortisol to infant neurodevelopment, based on single measurements, should be interpreted cautiously due to potential bias from unassessed diurnal variations.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay between maternal GCs, infant development, and sleep, considering the dynamic nature of hormone secretion.
Abstract

Keywords:
Diurnal rhythmGlucocorticoids; NewbornHuman milkTemperament

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