Scientist Breast milk leads to a metabolic boost in premature babies

Breast milk associated with significant health benefits
Breast milk plays an important role in the development of babies. This special milk helps to prevent hunger and promotes healthy growth and development of the child. Breastmilk has a whole range of health benefits that protect the growing child from infections and problems. A very important function of breast milk is that babies experience a metabolic boost through consumption.

The scientists from Pennsylvania State University in the US found in a recent study that breast milk has various health-promoting properties that help premature babies to develop a so-called metabolic thrust. The doctors published a press release on the results of their study.

Physicians found that premature babies benefit more from consuming breast milk compared to nomally born babies. Premature babies receive a metabolic boost through breast milk. (Image: tiagozr / fotolia.com)

Researchers are studying breast milk for differences in composition
For their examination, the physicians compared the milk of mothers with premature babies and mothers who had given birth to their child at a normal time. The experts looked for differences in the composition of breast milk and microRNA contained therein. Traces of RNA affect gene expression and can be transmitted to the baby. The researchers found that there were differences in the so-called microRNA profiles. The majority of altered microRNAs affect metabolism, explains Molly Carney of Pennsylvania State University.

Preterm babies have other nutritional needs
If babies are born prematurely, they are at an increased risk for a whole range of health problems. These can lead to delays in development and the premature babies are born with a lower weight. For this reason, premature babies have different nutritional needs than normal born babies, explain the physicians. If the discovered microRNAs are transmitted to the infant, it could potentially affect the way the newborn handles energy and nutrients, physicians explain.

The milk of mothers with premature babies is different from normal breast milk
Researchers collected 36 samples of mother's milk in mothers with babies who were born at the normal time and 31 samples from mothers with a premature baby. Afterwards they examined the samples in a laboratory. There, they extracted the microRNA and compared it to the human genome. So they wanted to find differences between the milk of mothers with premature infants and the milk of mothers with normal-born children. After analysis, approximately nine microRNAs were identified that were different in breast milk from prematurely born children.

Preterm babies achieve greater health benefits from consuming breastmilk
These detected microRNAs affect metabolic processes and can help to regulate gastrointestinal function and energy consumption in preterm infants, the researchers explain. Premature born babies therefore achieve better health outcomes from consuming breastmilk. The new findings may explain some of the health benefits of breastfeeding in premature babies, says author Professor Steven Hicks of Pennsylvania State University. (As)