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Longitudinal changes in human milk lactoferrin during the first year: a prospective cohort study
Yang Zhou1,2, Yifan Duan1, Shan Jiang1
1National Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
Pediatric Research
|May 9, 2025
Summary
Human milk lactoferrin (Lf) levels decrease in the first six months postpartum and then rise. Breastfeeding frequency and maternal prenatal mean corpuscular volume (MCV) influence these dynamic changes in Lf concentration.
Area of Science:
- Human milk composition
- Nutritional science
- Lactation biology
Background:
- Lactoferrin (Lf) is a key bioactive protein in human milk with vital biological roles.
- Milk Lf concentrations exhibit tight regulation throughout lactation.
- Understanding Lf dynamics is crucial for infant nutrition and health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To track longitudinal changes in human milk Lf concentrations during the first year postpartum.
- To identify factors influencing these dynamic changes in milk Lf.
- To explore the relationship between maternal red blood cell indices and milk Lf.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study of 160 mother-infant dyads in China.
- Maternal and infant characteristics collected via questionnaire.
- Milk Lf concentrations measured using ELISA; analyzed with linear mixed models.
Main Results:
- Mean milk Lf concentrations declined from 7.17 g/L (0-7 days) to 2.19 g/L (6 months), then increased to 2.43 g/L (12 months).
- Higher breastfeeding frequency correlated with lower Lf concentrations (P=0.017).
- Prenatal mean corpuscular volume (MCV) status impacted longitudinal Lf changes (PMCV*time=0.011).
Conclusions:
- Human milk Lf concentrations decrease in the first 6 months postpartum and increase between 6 and 12 months.
- Breastfeeding frequency and maternal prenatal MCV status are associated with milk Lf dynamics.
- This study provides significant insights into Lf concentration changes and influencing factors in Chinese mothers.
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