The Association of Mother and Infant Characteristics with the Macronutrient Content of Donor Human Milk

Abstract

Background:

In southern China, little is known about the macronutrient content of donor human milk (DHM), which varies among donor mothers.

Research Aim:

This study aimed to evaluate the association of mother and infant characteristics with the macronutrient content of DHM.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the anthropometric data, age of delivery, and mode of delivery of 365 healthy donor mothers. In addition, the gender, birth weight, and age of the infants were also recorded. Finally, the relationship between these variables and the macronutrient content in DHM was analyzed.

Results:

When comparing DHM macronutrient content with age of delivery, mode of delivery, and birth weight, there was no statistical significance. DHM from the obese mother group contained a higher level of macronutrient content (fat, p = 0.025; dry matter, p = 0.020; energy, p = 0.002) than all other groups, including overweight, normal-weight, and low-weight groups. DHM from mothers in the early stage of lactation had a higher amount of total protein (p < 0.001) and true protein (p < 0.001). Statistically significant differences were observed for total protein (p = 0.034), true protein (p = 0.022), and dry matter (p = 0.011) when comparing infant’s gender and DHM macronutrient content, with male infants showing higher values.

Conclusion:

This study indicated that the characteristics of mothers and infants may influence the macronutrient content of DHM. It is important to monitor factors that could affect the nutritional quality of DHM.