Air pollution exposure may impact the composition of human milk oligosaccharides

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) impact neonate immunity and health outcomes. However, the environmental factors influencing HMO composition remain understudied. This study examined the associations between ambient air pollutant (AAP) exposure and HMOs at 1-month postpartum. Human milk samples were collected at 1-month postpartum (n = 185). AAP (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂) exposure included the 9-month pregnancy period through 1-month postpartum. Associations between AAP with (1) HMO diversity, (2) the sum of sialylated and fucosylated HMOs, (3) 6 a priori HMOs linked with infant health, and (4) all HMOs were examined using multivariable linear regression and principal component analysis (PCA). Exposure to AAP was associated with lower HMO diversity. PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ exposure was positively associated with the HMO 3-fucosyllactose (3FL); PM_2.5 exposure was positively associated with the sum of total HMOs, sum of fucosylated HMOs, and the HMO 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL). PCA indicated the PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and NO₂ exposures were associated with HMO profiles. Individual models indicated that AAP exposure was associated with five additional HMOs (LNFP I, LNFP II, DFLNT, LNH). This is the first study to demonstrate associations between AAP and breast milk HMOs. Future longitudinal studies will help determine the long-term impact of AAP on human milk composition.