Study Title
Human milk composition and infant anthropometrics: overview of a systematic review with clinical and research implications
Principal Investigator
Meghan B. Azad, Meredith M. Brockway, Sarah M. Reyes
Affiliation
Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Canada; Manitoba Interdisciplinary Lactation Centre, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Canada
Start Date
Not specified
End Date
Not specified
Study Objective
To review the relationship between human milk (HM) components and infant growth, highlighting key findings and identifying research gaps in the existing literature.
Short Abstract
This systematic review, analyzing 141 articles, examines the relationship between human milk composition and infant growth, particularly anthropometric outcomes. The findings suggest that some micronutrients (e.g., iodine, zinc) are positively associated with infant growth, while macronutrients like protein showed positive links with infant length. However, inconsistent study quality and insufficient control for confounding factors were major limitations. Future research needs standardized methods for milk collection and analysis and more robust anthropometric measurements.
Study Design
Systematic review of studies on human milk composition and its association with infant growth
Population
Infants (full-term) up to 2 years of age
Sample Size
141 studies included in the review
Inclusion Criteria
Studies assessing human milk composition and its effects on infant growth and anthropometrics
Exclusion Criteria
Studies that did not assess HM components in relation to infant growth, studies that involved preterm infants, animal studies
Intervention/Exposure
Human milk components (micronutrients, macronutrients, bioactive compounds)
Outcome Measures
Infant growth outcomes such as weight, length, body mass index (BMI), weight-for-age, and weight-for-length z-scores
Funding Source
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (INV-001734)
Collaborating Institutions
University of Manitoba, University of Calgary
Ethics Approval
Not applicable (systematic review)
Publication Status
Published in International Breastfeeding Journal, February 2024
Keywords
Human milk, infant growth, macronutrients, micronutrients, bioactives, breastfeeding, infant anthropometrics
Data Collection Methods
Systematic review of published studies, with data extracted from three categories of human milk components: micronutrients, macronutrients, and bioactives.
Primary Data Availability
Not applicable
Contact Information
Meghan B. Azad (