[Relationship between human milk oligosaccharides concentrations and physical growth of infants within the first six months of life].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between human milk oligosaccharides(HMOs) levels in healthy mothers and infant physical growth.

Methods: Based on a nationally representative, multi-stage stratified sampling cross-sectional survey on human milk composition, 195 lactating women within 6 months postpartum and their infants were enrolled. Human milk oligosaccharide(HMOs) concentrations were quantified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-MS/MS). Infant anthropometric measurements(height, weight, and head circumference) were collected to calculate Z-scores. Associations between HMOs and infant growth were analyzed via general linear models.

Results: Total HMOs and total sialylated HMOs in mature breast milk showed negative correlations with weight for length Z-score(WLZ), weight for age Z-score(WAZ), and BMI for age Z-score(BAZ)(β=-0.80 to-0.25, P<0.05). Specifically, 6'-sialyllactosamine(6'-SL), sialyllacto-N-tetraose c(LSTc), and disialyllacto-N-tetraose(DSLNT) demonstrated significant negative associations with WAZ(β=-0.36 to-0.25, P<0.05). Total neutral non-fucosylated HMOs and lacto-N-tetraose(LNT) were also negatively correlated with length for age Z-score(LAZ) and WAZ(β=-0.33 to-0.25, P<0.05). Among secretor+/Lewis+(Se+Le+) mothers, the negative effects of total HMOs and sialylated HMOs on infant WLZ, WAZ, and BAZ were further strengthened(β=-1.22 to-0.48, P<0.05).

Conclusion: Specific HMO concentrations in human milk during the first 6 months postpartum are associated with infant growth outcomes. Total HMOs, sialylated HMOs, and neutral non-fucosylated HMOs demonstrate negative associations with weight indicators.