Search Results (1,194)

Human milk is highly rich in miRNAs, with differential expression amongst its fractions, including cells, fat, and skim milk. Various factors, such as the stage of lactation or milk removal during breastfeeding, have been shown to influence the miRNA content of. Here, we sought to determine the effect of maternal and/or infant infection on the miRNA profile of cell and fat fractions analyzed using next-generation sequencing. Breastfeeding mother/infant dyads (n = 18) were followed during one or more infection episodes as well as upon recovery. Cells and fat together contain 1780 known miRNA species, which is the highest number of known miRNAs assayed in human body fluids to date. In addition, 592 novel miRNAs were predicted, of which 95 were of high confidence. Comparisons between samples collected when the participants were healthy and when infected yielded 453 differentially expressed (p < 0.05) known miRNAs. Of these, 70 were highly expressed and differentially regulated during infection, with 62 upregulated and 8 downregulated known miRNAs during infection. Most of the highly and differentially expressed miRNAs are known to play critical roles in immunity and immune system development. These findings support the use of miRNAs as biomarkers of the health status of the lactating breast and the breastfeeding mother/infant dyad. Full article

Background. Lower respiratory tract infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants worldwide. Newborns possess an immature immune system but acquire passive immunity through maternal antibodies transferred via the placenta (IgG) and breast milk (IgA). Maternal vaccination may enhance this protection. This study aimed to quantify antibody levels against respiratory viruses in serum and breast milk from lactating women. Methods. Serum and breast milk samples were collected from 26 lactating mothers. Antibody levels were measured using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) targeting seven viral antigens: influenza A (A/Thailand, A/California), influenza B (B/Phuket, B/Austria), SARS-CoV-2 (Spike and receptor-binding domain, RBD) and RSV F pre-fusion protein. Antibody isotypes IgG, IgA and IgM were analysed. Results. Virus-specific IgG and IgA antibodies were detected in all samples. Breast milk showed the highest levels of IgA, whereas serum contained higher IgG levels. A moderate positive correlation was observed between serum and milk IgG. No correlation was found between serum IgG and milk IgA, but both levels were elevated. Conclusions. Breast milk and serum contain relatively high levels of antibodies against the tested respiratory viruses. The elevated levels of serum IgG and milk IgA indicate a coordinated defence between systemic and mucosal immunity in response to infections. The levels and correlation of specific isotypes point to the source of the antibodies: milk IgG probably originates from the blood, whereas milk IgA is produced locally. Full article

Drug exposure during pregnancy and early life is typically considered a short-term clinical intervention rather than a determinant of long-term pharmacological outcomes. Consequently, the developmental context is largely absent from drug discovery and drug development paradigms, where efficacy, safety and target engagement are evaluated predominantly in adult, steady-state systems. This disconnect may contribute to unexplained variability in drug response and toxicity later in life. Pregnancy is accompanied by dynamic remodeling of the maternal gut microbiota and its metabolic output, generating bioactive microbial metabolites that regulate immune tone, metabolic homeostasis and the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters. These microbial signals intersect with pharmacological interventions across gestation, shaping maternal pharmacokinetics, placental regulation and fetal drug exposure during developmentally sensitive windows. Importantly, microbiota–drug interactions initiated during pregnancy do not terminate at birth. Instead, they extend into infancy through vertical microbial transmission, breast milk-mediated metabolic signaling, and the immaturity of neonatal drug-handling systems, collectively contributing to developmental programming of drug responsiveness beyond early life. In this review, we propose a microbiota-informed framework that reframes perinatal drug exposure as a developmentally embedded signal operating across a maternal–placental–infant continuum. This perspective introduces a missing developmental dimension into drug discovery and highlights new opportunities to improve translational predictability and precision pharmacotherapy across the life course. Full article

Background: Short sleep and formula feeding during infancy are associated with increased risk of childhood obesity. Feeding practices and sleep arrangements vary during infancy and may also be dynamic, yet their impact on infant night sleep duration remains unclear. Understanding these relationships is crucial for formulating recommendations to support breastfeeding and address sleep concerns. Objective: We examined the association between feeding mode and parent-reported infant night sleep duration during the first postnatal year, while additionally evaluating night-weaning and bedsharing as contextual sleep-related practices. Methods: Infants in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area (n = 193) were followed up at 3, 8, 13, 26, 39, and 52 weeks post-birth. Sleep and feeding questionnaires were answered at each visit. A multilevel growth model estimated infant night sleep duration trajectories by feeding mode (ordinal: exclusive formula, mixed, exclusive breastfeeding), night-weaning, and bedsharing as time-variant predictors. Maternal education and household income were covariates to account for differences in study attrition. Results: Infant night sleep duration followed a curvilinear trajectory, starting at 7.92 h (95% CI: 5.78, 10.06) and increasing by 0.40 h/month (95% CI: 0.21, 0.60), with a deceleration over time (0.02 h/month², p < 0.001). Each increase in levels of breast milk consumption was associated with an increase in infant night sleep duration (B = 0.87 h, p < 0.001), but the association weakened as the infant aged (B = −0.07 h/month, p < 0.001). Despite 59.7% of bedsharing infants being exclusively breastfed, bedsharing was not significantly associated with infant night sleep duration. Similarly, night-weaning was not significantly associated with infant night sleep duration. Conclusions: Breastfeeding is associated with longer infant night sleep duration, whereas bedsharing showed no association despite its correlation with breastfeeding. This research highlights the importance of breastfeeding in early life, not only for its developmental benefits but also for its relationship with infant night sleep duration, an essential component of healthy infant growth. Full article

Persistent organic pollutants such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) remain a public health concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential health effects. Human breast milk is an important biomonitoring matrix for assessing maternal and infant exposure to lipophilic contaminants. This pilot study aimed to determine concentrations of PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs), and non-dioxin-like PCBs (ndl-PCBs) in breast milk samples collected from five lactating women residing in the Greater Poland Province and to explore potential determinants of exposure. Following participant recruitment, sample collection, and questionnaire-based assessment performed by the authors, breast milk samples were analyzed at the accredited Laboratory of Trace Analysis (Cracow University of Technology, Poland) using isotope dilution gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Toxic equivalency values (TEQ) were calculated using World Health Organization 2005 toxic equivalency factors (WHO-TEFs). WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ ranged from 0.096 to 0.22 pg/g fresh weight. Median lipid-normalized WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ and total WHO-PCDD/F-PCB-TEQ concentrations were 3.5 and 4.7 pg/g lipid, respectively, remaining below the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reference level of 5.9 pg/g lipid; only one sample exceeded this threshold (6.2 pg/g lipid). Lipid-normalized WHO-PCB-TEQ correlated positively with maternal age (ρ = 0.949, p = 0.0389). The observed values were within the lower range reported in recent European studies. The congener patterns suggest a combination of chronic exposure to combustion by-products and long-term bioaccumulation of historical industrial pollutants. Although limited by the small sample size, this exploratory study provides preliminary regional biomonitoring data supporting future environmental exposure research. Full article

Nutrition in the early years of life plays a fundamental role in newborn growth, immune maturation, metabolic regulation, endocrine signaling, and neurological development, specifically through its interaction with the developing gut microbiota. Breast milk is the biological gold standard for infant nutrition; however, when breastfeeding is not possible, the development of formulations supplemented with bioactive substances can improve functional outcomes in comparison to standard milk formula. This narrative review discusses current evidence on formulas enriched with prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, synbiotics, human milk oligosaccharides, and other bioactive molecules. The review focuses on gut microbiota modulation, gastrointestinal function, growth and nutritional adequacy, immune development, infection-related outcomes, safety and tolerability, endocrine signaling, intestinal stem-cell regulation, obesity-related metabolic pathways, and emerging gut–brain axis interactions. Overall, available data indicate that bioactive-supplemented formulas are generally safe, well tolerated, and able to support normal growth, including in selected infants with specific clinical conditions. The most consistent effects are observed in the gastrointestinal tract, where supplementation promotes a more bifidogenic microbial profile, improves stool characteristics, supports intestinal barrier function, and influences microbial metabolic activity. By contrast, evidence regarding systemic immune effects, endocrine modulation, obesity prevention, and neurodevelopmental outcomes remains promising but heterogeneous and is still largely derived from preliminary human studies and experimental models. Therefore, these formulas may be considered a useful option when breastfeeding is not feasible, provided that their use is clinically appropriate and evidence based. Further studies are needed to clarify their long-term functional and clinical implications. Full article

Background/Objectives: The impact of postnatal CMV infection in extremely premature newborns is poorly characterized. We aimed to determine the impact and outcomes of postnatal CMV infection in a population of extremely premature newborns of gestational age of less than 29 weeks hospitalized in the Department of Perinatology, Division of Gynecology, University Medical Center Ljubljana. Methods: We included all extremely premature newborns of gestational age of less than 29 weeks treated in the Department of Perinatology between December 2022 and December 2024. Newborns were screened for CMV infection at set timepoints and congenital infection was excluded with PCR testing. Additional PCR testing for CMV was performed if newborns developed clinical features suspect for postnatal CMV infection. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of newborns were noted. Mothers of infected newborns had their CMV serostatus determined. Results: In total, 63 extremely premature newborns were included, and 14 newborns had confirmed postnatal CMV infection. Postnatal CMV infection was associated with hepatosplenomegaly and lower platelet and leukocyte counts compared to controls. We found no association between postnatal CMV infection and other neonatal comorbidities. Conclusions: In our study, postnatal CMV infection was associated with a more severe and prolonged clinical course of extremely premature newborns compared to uninfected controls; however, in multivariable analysis, the association with a prolonged length of stay was no longer statistically significant. The results suggest that preventing postnatal CMV infection in this population is important. Full article

Background/Objectives: Breast Milk Feeding (BMF) benefits mother and infant. However, women with select risk factors report shorter breastfeeding durations. Our previous prospective cohort observational study of a lactation-consultant-led telephone-based support program in the first month postpartum increased BMF rates up to 6 months. This post hoc study further evaluated the program for mothers at increased risk of early breastfeeding cessation. Methods: We performed secondary analysis involving 762 mothers (control, n = 378; intervention, n = 384), recruited between 2018 and 2019. Infant feeding types, including BMF, were recorded at 1, 3 and 6 months. Feeding outcomes were analyzed in association with maternal risk factors. p-values, odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were reported via both univariate (UVA) and multivariate regression analysis (MVA). Results: Via MVA, the intervention was associated with increased 6-month BMF rates in these groupings [OR (95%CI), p-value]: European [1.80 (1.07–2.96), p = 0.027]; South Asian [1.93 (1.19–3.13), p = 0.008]; employed [1.47 (1.02–2.12), p = 0.038]; unemployed [2.15 (1.33–3.50), p = 0.002]; married [1.71 (1.22–2.39), p = 0.002]; social support present [1.51 (1.05–2.16), p = 0.026]; chronic illness [1.93 (1.35–2.75), p = 0.001]; gestational diabetes mellitus [2.17 (1.19–3.95), p = 0.11]; overweight and obese [1.48 (1.03–2.12), p = 0.034]. A derived success score across the study period indicated via UVA associated increases in BMF rates with history of depression and anxiety (MI) [p = 0.044] and ongoing MI [p = 0.033], but these increases were smaller than that for no history of MI [p < 0.001]. No effect was observed in East/Southeast Asian mothers, Middle Eastern mothers, single or de facto mothers, older mothers, mothers without social support and mothers of any skill level. Conclusions: Although early postpartum telephone support was associated with a number of positive findings of improved BMF at 6 months and over the course of the study, the results were mixed. This suggests that future breastfeeding telephone-based initiatives need to be multifaceted in order to target mothers at risk of early breastfeeding cessation. Full article

Background/Objectives: The prevalence of women who exclusively pump (EP) their breast milk to feed their infants is increasing; however, this group is underrepresented in research. This study aimed to examine maternal and infant characteristics and the experiences of EP women. Methods: An online survey explored the experiences and characteristics of EP women with <24-month-old infants. Quantitative data included demographics and maternal and infant characteristics; qualitative data included perspectives on how support for EP women can be improved. Results: The survey of 195 EP women revealed that while most had intended to exclusively breastfeed (50%) or breastfeed and pump (26%) their milk for an average of 12 months, the average time of EP cessation was 6 months postpartum. Compared with the general population, EP women had higher rates of pregnancy complications (p < 0.001) and lactation/breastfeeding challenges (p < 0.001). Themes developed from the qualitative data relating to how health professionals/support people could better assist EP women were: ‘Respect for the EP Journey’, ‘EP Information and Logistical Needs’ and ‘Mental and Physical Load’. Conclusions: Most EP women had originally intended to breastfeed but utilised EP because of latching issues, breast refusal and/or neonatal unit admission. They face unique challenges associated with EP, yet current professional acceptance and support are lacking. Targeted education for health professionals on EP is needed so that they can better support women with tailored, evidence-based guidelines aimed at extending lactation and improving maternal well-being. Full article

Background: The neonatal period involves rapid physiological adaptation and high vulnerability to painful stimuli, especially in NICU-admitted infants. Neonates have the neurophysiological capacity for nociception, and repeated pain exposure may impair neurodevelopment. Non-pharmacological interventions, particularly oral sucrose and breast milk, are widely used as first-line analgesic strategies due to their safety and efficacy. However, heterogeneity in existing studies requires evidence synthesis. Methods: A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted to assess the effectiveness of sucrose and breast milk in neonatal pain reduction. PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials published between 2019 and 2024. Studies involving neonates undergoing painful procedures and receiving sucrose, breast milk, or both were included. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed independently. Due to heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes, a narrative synthesis was conducted. Results: Thirteen randomized controlled trials were included. Both sucrose and breast milk consistently reduced neonatal pain scores and physiological indicators such as heart rate and oxygen saturation. Sucrose showed rapid, short-term analgesia mediated by endogenous opioid pathways, while breast milk provided additional sensory, nutritional, and emotional benefits that support mother–infant bonding. Multimodal approaches, including kangaroo care, non-nutritive sucking, and swaddling, enhanced analgesic effects. Heterogeneity in protocols and assessment tools limited comparability across studies. Conclusions: Sucrose and breast milk are safe and effective non-pharmacological interventions for neonatal pain management. Their incorporation into standardized multimodal protocols is recommended to optimize analgesia and promote humanized neonatal care. Further research is needed to standardize dosing and evaluate long-term outcomes. Full article

Nipah virus (NiV) is an animal-borne RNA virus of the genus Henipavirus that poses a significant global health threat. This threat is driven by the virus’s high mortality rate, its capacity to cause epidemics, and the lack of licensed therapeutic interventions or vaccines. Since its initial identification during the 1998–1999 outbreak in Malaysia and Singapore, recurrent episodes have occurred primarily in Bangladesh and India, with mortality rates frequently exceeding 70%. Fruit bats of the genus Pteropus serve as the biological host for the virus. Transmission to humans occurs via contact with infected wildlife, consumption of contaminated products, such as freshly harvested date palm sap, or direct person-to-person exposure. Other modes of transmission, such as transplacentally or via breast milk, are still under investigation. The clinical presentation of NiV infection varies widely, from mild flu-like symptoms to life-threatening respiratory disease and acute encephalitis. It frequently attacks the nervous system, which can lead to coma, permanent neurological damage, or relapsing encephalitis. The virus enters host cells via ephrin-B2/B3 receptors, enabling systemic dissemination and infiltration of the central nervous system. Diagnosis relies primarily on RT-PCR and serological assays, and virus isolation requires high-containment laboratories. Management remains largely supportive, as no approved antiviral therapy exists. Experimental agents, such as remdesivir, favipiravir, and monoclonal antibodies such as m102.4, have shown promise in preclinical studies. Multiple vaccine platforms—including subunit, viral vector, mRNA, and nanoparticle-based approaches—are under development, though none is yet licensed for human use. Strengthened surveillance, infection control measures, and continued research are essential to mitigate the threat posed by this emerging pathogen. This review summarizes current knowledge on NiV, including its virology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, transmission, and recent progress in therapeutic and vaccine development. Full article

Benzophenones (BPs) and derivatives are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) widely used in personal care products, food packaging, and flavoring ingredients. This systematic review and bibliometric analysis aimed to identify and summarize analytical methods used to determine BPs in human milk and infant formulas. Furthermore, the bibliometric evaluation explored publication trends by journal, citation count, and geographical distribution, providing insight into the global research landscape on this topic. The most employed sample preparation techniques included liquid–liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction, dispersive solid-phase extraction, low-temperature partitioning, QuEChERS, and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction, frequently combined with enzymatic treatments with β-glucuronidase or arylsulfatase to improve recovery and sensitivity. Gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) were the predominant analytical platforms, with LC–MS being the most used for its ability to detect BPs without derivatization. Recent studies have shown a trend of replacing conventional organic solvents with greener, sustainable, and environmentally friendly approaches, such as miniaturized methods. This trend aligns with Green Analytical Chemistry principles and highlights the need for ongoing methodological and regulatory advancements to ensure food safety and protect public health. Full article

Background: The first 1000 days of a child’s life, from a woman’s pregnancy to her child’s second birthday, represent a critical window during which nutritional and environmental exposures shape long-term health. Gut microbiota play an important role in metabolic and overall health. Although pet exposure during pregnancy affects neonatal microbiota, immunity, and development, its effects on maternal health remain unclear. This study investigated the associations of pet exposure with gestational health, maternal and infant microbiota, and breast milk composition in overweight/obese pregnant women. Methods: Fecal samples and breast milk samples were collected from pet-exposed participants (n = 22) and non-exposed controls (n = 32) for 16S rRNA sequencing. Breast milk lipids and proteins were also quantified. Results: Pet exposure before conception, during pregnancy, and postpartum was not associated with gestational diabetes mellitus or gestational weight gain. In the maternal gut, the relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Sutterellaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Akkermansia muciniphila, and Parabacteroides were higher, whereas that of Ruminococcus was lower, in the pet-exposed group. In breast milk, the relative abundance of Escherichia-Shigella and the concentrations of phosphatidylinositol 36:2, phosphatidylethanolamine 38:3, lysine, and β-casein were higher, whereas the abundance of Rothia was lower, in the pet-exposed group. The relative abundance of Escherichia-Shigella was also lower in the infant gut of the pet-exposed group. Conclusions: In overweight/obese pregnant women, pet exposure was associated with differences in maternal gut and breast milk microbiota, higher concentrations of selected breast milk phospholipids and β-casein, and lower Escherichia-Shigella abundance in the infant gut. Full article

Background/Objectives: Low milk production is more prevalent after preterm birth and may be associated with infrequent milk expression, delayed secretory activation and elevated milk biomarkers including sodium (Na) and sodium–potassium ratio (Na:K). This study aimed to describe milk production, expression frequency, and milk biomarkers (Na and Na:K) in the first 4 weeks and explore associations in the first 2 weeks after preterm birth. Methods: Women who birthed at 28–34 weeks of gestation provided milk expression data and milk samples every second day from birth to Day 10, then every third day until infant transfer/discharge from the neonatal unit. Lactation characteristics and milk Na and Na:K across the first 4 weeks were described, and associations between milk production, expression frequency and milk biomarkers were examined. Results: In a sample of N = 44 women that maintained a median expression frequency of 6–7 × 24 h, temporal patterns in milk Na and Na:K were similar to those observed after birth at term, and a milk production ≥ 600 mL/24 h was achieved by 61.5% on Day 13. One third of women experienced delayed secretory activation. Expression volumes on Day 4 were associated with milk production on Day 13 and Day 16 (both p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that low expression volumes in the days after preterm birth may indicate women at risk of low milk production. Further research is needed to determine the predictive value of early expression frequency and milk composition on subsequent milk production. Full article

Toxicological risk assessment of food ingredients has traditionally relied on identifying a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) or benchmark dose (BMD), followed by the application of default uncertainty factors (UFs) to derive health-based guidance values (HBGVs) such as the acceptable daily intake (ADI). While effective for conventional food additives, this approach may be inappropriate for nutrients and intrinsic food components with established physiological functions. This paper critically explores these limitations using free glutamate as a central example, alongside additional cases relevant to infant nutrition, including vitamin C, iodine, and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). Data on free glutamate in human milk show that breastfed infants habitually ingest amounts far exceeding additive-based ADIs without adverse effects, underscoring the limitations of applying default uncertainty factors and classical toxicological paradigms to endogenous nutrients. Comparable considerations apply to protein hydrolysates and amino acid-based infant formulas evaluated by EFSA, where growth, tolerance, and compositional suitability are integral to safety assessment. Overall, nutrient safety evaluation requires an integrative, physiology-informed framework that incorporates realistic exposure, developmental stage, and metabolic competence. Breast milk provides a biologically relevant reference, supporting a proportionate and science-based application of toxicological principles in infant nutrition. Full article