Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
07:38
Milk Collection in the Rat Using Capillary Tubes and Estimation of Milk Fat Content by Creamatocrit
Published on: December 16, 2015
Total Fat and Fatty Acid Composition of Preterm Human Milk: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Mindy A Patterson1, Derek C Miketinas1, Vanessa K Thyne2
1Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Texas Woman's University, Houston, TX, United States; Institute for Women's Health, Texas Woman's University, Houston, TX, United States.
Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Preterm human milk (HM) contains significant fat and fatty acids (FA) crucial for infant development. This review quantifies these nutrients, finding mean total fat at 3.76 g/100 mL, with variations based on milk maturity and analysis methods.
Area of Science:
- Human milk composition
- Neonatal nutrition
- Nutritional biochemistry
Background:
- Preterm human milk (HM) is a vital source of energy and essential nutrients for preterm infants.
- Fat and fatty acids (FA) in HM are critical for growth, cell integrity, and neurodevelopment in premature neonates.
- Quantifying HM fat and FA content is essential for optimizing infant nutrition and growth outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze existing data on total fat and fatty acid (FA) concentrations in preterm human milk (HM).
- To provide updated quantitative estimates of key nutrients in HM for preterm infants.
- To identify variations in fat and FA content based on milk maturity and analytical methods.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of Ebsco, PubMed, and Scopus databases up to July 2023.
- Inclusion of 69 original studies (1871 preterm infants) meeting specific criteria (preterm < 37 weeks, high Human Development Index, various study designs).
- Random effects models used for meta-analysis to estimate mean total fat and FA content, with heterogeneity and bias assessments.
Main Results:
- Mean total fat in preterm HM was 3.76 g/100 mL, varying by colostrum (3.04 g/100 mL), transition (3.74 g/100 mL), and mature (3.85 g/100 mL) stages.
- Oleic acid (18:1n-9) and palmitic acid (16:0) were the most abundant fatty acids.
- Essential fatty acid concentrations included 13.76% w/w for 18:2 n-6 and 1.03% w/w for 18:3n-3.
- The creamatocrit method yielded higher total fat content compared to infrared or gravimetric methods.
Conclusions:
- This systematic review provides updated estimates for total fat and FA concentrations in preterm HM.
- Significant variability exists in reported fat and FA content due to differences in study design, quality, and analytical methodologies.
- Further standardization in data collection and analysis is recommended for more consistent findings in preterm HM research.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
01:28Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism
Lipids also are sources of energy that power cellular processes. Like carbohydrates, lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but these atoms are arranged differently. Most lipids are nonpolar and hydrophobic. Major types include fats and oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids.
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:31Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body
Fats and lipids are crucial components in the human body. Some lipid-derived compounds, such as fat-soluble vitamins, eicosanoids, lipoproteins, and glycolipids, also play unique roles to support various biological processes .
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...