Influence of sample-specific properties on light scattering by human milk

Area of Science:

• Biomedical optics
• Photonics
• Human milk analysis

Background:

• Breastfeeding offers numerous benefits, but early cessation is common due to understudied lactation issues.
• Optical and photonic techniques offer non-invasive methods for analyzing human milk.
• Accurate modeling of light scattering in human milk is essential for these techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how sample-specific properties affect the forward scattering coefficient of human milk.
• To identify key parameters for accurate light scattering modeling in human milk.

Main Methods:

• An experimental dataset of 50 human milk samples was created.
• Measurements included scattering coefficient, fat concentration, and particle properties.
• Mie theory was used to reconstruct scattering coefficients based on sample-specific properties.

Main Results:

• A moderate correlation was found between experimental and reconstructed scattering coefficients using only fat concentration (Spearman ρ = 0.62).
• Including milk fat globule size distribution significantly improved the correlation (Spearman ρ = 0.82).
• The refractive indices of serum and milk fat globules, and non-fat particle scattering, had minimal impact.

Conclusions:

• Fat concentration and milk fat globule size distribution are critical parameters for human milk light scattering models.
• Accurate modeling is essential for advancing optical and photonic analysis of human milk.
• Understanding these parameters can help address lactation problems and support breastfeeding mothers.