Nesfatin-1 in Human Milk and Its Association with Infant Anthropometry

Area of Science:

• Human milk composition
• Infant growth and development
• Adipokine function

Background:

• Breastfed infants exhibit distinct growth patterns and reduced obesity risk compared to formula-fed infants.
• Nesfatin-1, an appetite-regulating adipokine found in human milk, has an unclear role in infant appetite regulation.
• Understanding milk composition factors influencing infant growth is crucial for long-term health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine nesfatin-1 levels in human milk at 3-4 months postpartum.
• To investigate associations between milk nesfatin-1 and infant anthropometry.
• To explore potential influences of maternal BMI, pregnancy weight gain, and milk characteristics on nesfatin-1 levels.

Main Methods:

• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify nesfatin-1 concentration in milk samples.
• Milk samples were collected from mothers of infants categorized by high (n=50) and low (n=50) weight-for-age Z-scores (WAZ).
• Linear regression analysis, adjusted for confounders, examined relationships between nesfatin-1, infant anthropometry, and maternal factors.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in milk nesfatin-1 levels was observed between high and low WAZ infant groups.
• Milk nesfatin-1 levels showed no association with infant anthropometry or growth parameters after adjustment.
• A correlation was found between higher nesfatin-1 levels and lower maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (mBMI).

Conclusions:

• Nesfatin-1 levels in human milk at 3-4 months postpartum do not appear to be associated with infant growth status (WAZ).
• Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI may influence milk nesfatin-1 concentrations, suggesting a potential maternal-infant metabolic link.
• Further research is recommended to explore serum nesfatin-1 in mothers and infants and its relationship with growth in breastfed children.