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Sex differences in preterm nutrition and growth: the evidence from human milk associated studies

Pradeep Alur1, Sumana Ramarao2

  • 1University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, 39216, USA. palur@umc.edu.

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|February 25, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Mother's own milk (MOM) offers sex-specific growth benefits, unlike infant formula. More research is needed on how sex-specific nutrients in MOM impact infant development and requirements.

Area of Science:

  • Human biology
  • Infant nutrition
  • Developmental pediatrics

Background:

  • Sexual dimorphism is evident from fetal development, influencing pregnancy outcomes like preterm birth rates, which are higher in male fetuses.
  • Growth charts (intrauterine and postnatal) and human milk composition demonstrate sex-specific variations in term infants.
  • Early nutrition significantly impacts infant neurodevelopmental outcomes in a sex-specific manner.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the sex-specific growth advantages provided by mother's own milk (MOM), potentially due to sex-based milk calibration.
  • To investigate the implications of non-sex-specific infant formula composition compared to MOM.
  • To identify knowledge gaps regarding sex-specific micronutrient effects and macronutrient requirements in infants, particularly preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of existing data on sexual dimorphism in fetal development and infant growth.
  • Review of studies on human milk composition and its variations.
  • Examination of research on early nutrition's impact on infant neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • Consideration of findings from same-sex twin studies regarding maternal milk benefits.

Main Results:

  • Preterm birth is more common in male fetuses, and growth nomograms are sex-specific.
  • Human milk composition appears to be sex-specific, suggesting MOM may offer tailored benefits.
  • A same-sex twin study indicated MOM provides sex-specific growth advantages, possibly linked to infant sex calibration.

Conclusions:

  • Mother's own milk (MOM) may offer sex-specific growth advantages over infant formula due to its tailored composition.
  • Further research is crucial to understand the influence of sex-specific micronutrients and macronutrient needs (e.g., fat for females, protein for males) in preterm infants.
  • Findings could inform milk banking practices, including the potential need for sex-specific donor human milk (DBM).

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