Fatty Acid Transfer from Blood to Milk Is Disrupted in Mothers with Low Milk Production, Obesity, and Inflammation.

Background: Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation and is a risk factor for insufficient milk production. Inflammation-mediated suppression of LPL could inhibit mammary uptake of long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs; >16 carbons).

Objectives: In an ancillary case-control analysis, we investigated whether women with low milk production despite regular breast emptying have elevated inflammation and disrupted transfer of LCFAs from plasma into milk.

Measures of Maternal Metabolic Health as Predictors of Severely Low Milk Production.

A comprehensive approach to breastfeeding support requires elucidation of how metabolic health influences milk production. We compared metabolic health indicators in women with severely low milk output versus those with moderate/normal milk output using a case-control study design, with nested and external control groups. Cases and nested controls were derived from women screened for a low milk supply trial, with cases defined as severely low milk output (<300 mL/24 hours), and nested controls defined as moderate/normal milk output (>300 mL/24 hours).

Validity of a 3-Hour Breast Milk Expression Protocol in Estimating Current Maternal Milk Production Capacity and Infant Breast Milk Intake in Exclusively Breastfeeding Dyads.

An efficient method for measuring maternal milk production is needed. Our objectives were to: (1) validate a milk production rate (MPR) protocol in exclusively breastfeeding mothers; (2) determine MPR change following 48 hours of increased breast emptying; (3) assess agreement between MPR and infant test-weighing; and (4) characterize MPR in early postpartum exclusively breastfeeding mothers.  = 23 mothers emptied both breasts hourly over 3 hours (h0, h1, h2, and h3).

The Relation between Breast Milk Sodium to Potassium Ratio and Maternal Report of a Milk Supply Concern.

We report that, among exclusively breastfeeding mothers at day 7 postpartum, those with milk supply concerns were significantly more likely to exhibit biochemical evidence of less progress toward mature lactation (elevated ratio of breast milk sodium to potassium concentration). Furthermore, an elevated ratio of breast milk sodium to potassium concentration was predictive of early weaning.

Systems biology evaluation of cell-free amniotic fluid transcriptome of term and preterm infants to detect fetal maturity.

Background: Amniotic fluid (AF) is a proximal fluid to the fetus containing higher amounts of cell-free fetal RNA/DNA than maternal serum, thereby making it a promising source for identifying novel biomarkers that predict fetal development and organ maturation. Our aim was to compare AF transcriptomic profiles at different time points in pregnancy to demonstrate unique genetic signatures that would serve as potential biomarkers indicative of fetal maturation.

Methods: We isolated AF RNA from 16 women at different time points in pregnancy: 4 from 18 to 24 weeks, 6 from 34 to 36 weeks, and 6 from 39 to 40 weeks.

In-hospital formula use increases early breastfeeding cessation among first-time mothers intending to exclusively breastfeed.

Objective: To evaluate in-hospital formula supplementation among first-time mothers who intended to exclusively breastfeed and determined if in-hospital formula supplementation shortens breastfeeding duration after adjusting for breastfeeding intention.

Study Design: We assessed strength of breastfeeding intentions prenatally in a diverse cohort of expectant primiparae and followed infant feeding practices through day 60. Among mothers planning to exclusively breastfeed their healthy term infants for ≥1 week, we determined predictors, reasons, and characteristics of in-hospital formula supplementation, and calculated the intention-adjusted relative risk (ARR) of not fully breastfeeding days 30-60 and breastfeeding cessation by day 60 with in-hospital formula supplementation (n = 393).

Breastfeeding concerns at 3 and 7 days postpartum and feeding status at 2 months.

Objective: We characterized breastfeeding concerns from open-text maternal responses and determined their association with stopping breastfeeding by 60 days (stopping breastfeeding) and feeding any formula between 30 and 60 days (formula use).

Methods: We assessed breastfeeding support, intentions, and concerns in 532 expectant primiparas and conducted follow-up interviews at 0, 3, 7, 14, 30, and 60 days postpartum. We calculated adjusted relative risk (ARR) and adjusted population attributable risk (PAR) for feeding outcomes by concern category and day, adjusted for feeding intentions and education.

Short-term exposure to a high-protein diet differentially affects glomerular filtration rate but not Acid-base balance in older compared to younger adults.

There is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of high protein intake on kidney health, especially as it relates to age. We investigated the short-term effects of a high-protein diet on kidney function and systemic acid-base homeostasis in older compared to younger adults. The subjects were healthy men and women either between the ages of 25 and 40 years (n=12) or 55 and 70 years (n=10).