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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Davis, California » Western Human Nutrition Research Center » Obesity and Metabolism Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #431220
Research Project: Improving Nutrient Intake Recommendations for Lactating Mothers and Their Infants

Location: Obesity and Metabolism Research

Title: Longitudinal association between human milk macronutrient intake and infant growth throughout the first 8.5 months of life: A Multicenter Cohort Study

Author
item FIGUEIREDO, AMANDA - Universidade Federal Do Rio De Janeiro
item DE SOUZA CAMPOS, ADRIANA - Universidade Federal Do Rio De Janeiro
item SILVA, GABRIELA - Universidade Federal Do Rio De Janeiro
item PAULA, DANIELA - Universidade Federal Do Rio De Janeiro
item SCHNEIDER, BRUNA - Universidade Federal Do Rio De Janeiro
item DE BARROS MUCCI, DANIELA - Universidade Federal Do Rio De Janeiro
item ISLAM, M. MUNIRUL - Icddr,b
item MICHAELSEN, KIM - University Of Copenhagen
item MØLGAARD, CHRISTIAN - University Of Copenhagen
item CHRISTENSEN, SOPHIE - University Of Copenhagen
item HAMPEL, DANIELA - University Of California, Davis
item Allen, Lindsay
item MOORE, SOPHIE - King'S College
item KAC, GILBERTO - Universidade Federal Do Rio De Janeiro

Submitted to: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/11/2026
Publication Date: 4/8/2026
Citation: Figueiredo, A.C., De Souza Campos, A.D., Silva, G.T., Polessa, D.P., Schneider, B.C., De Barros Mucci, D., Moore, S.E., Islam, M., Michaelsen, K.F., Mølgaard, C., Christensen, S.H., Peerson, J.M., Hampel, D., Allen, L.H., Kac, G. 2026. Longitudinal association between human milk macronutrient intake and infant growth throughout the first 8.5 months of life: A Multicenter Cohort Study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 123(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2026.101279.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2026.101279

Interpretive Summary: Human milk (HM) macronutrient content is essential for infant growth, yet not many studies have examined the their concentrations in conjunction with milk volume over time. Here we are investigating the relationships over time between the HM macronutrient infant intake and infant growth. The HM macronutrient intake was calculated using the concentrations for each nutrient in the milk and the milk intake, while growth was evaluated using the WHO Growth Standards. We found that higher protein, sugar, and fat intake from milk was related to higher growth outcomes. Thus, we were able to show the positive effects of HM macronutrient on infant growth.

Technical Abstract: Background: Few studies have shown that human milk (HM) macronutrient intake, determined by their concentration and the HM intake, plays an important role in infant growth. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal association between HM macronutrient intake and infant growth. Methods: 834 mother–infant pairs from the MILQ study (Bangladesh, Brazil, Denmark, and The Gambia) and a subsample of 533 participants with volume data were followed at visit 1–3.5 months (M1), 3.5–6 months (M2), and 6–8.5 months (M3). HM macronutrients were measured by near-infrared spectroscopy at visit M1. HM intake was assessed using the stable isotope ‘dose-to-mother’ method, except in Denmark, where test weighing was used. HM macronutrient intake (g/day) was estimated as the product of each macronutrient concentration (g/L) and HM volume (g/day), considering the HM density of 1.03 g/mL. Infant growth was evaluated using the WHO Growth Standards' weight-for-age (WAZ), length-for-age (LAZ), weight-for-length (WLZ), and BMI-for-age (BAZ) z-scores at visits M1, M2, and M3. Statistical analyses included linear mixed-effects models. Results: Positive longitudinal associations were observed between HM protein intake and WAZ (ß=0.084, 95%CI 0.056 to 0.111), LAZ (ß=0.044, 95%CI 0.014 to 0.073), WLZ (ß=0.082, 95%CI 0.048 to 0.118), and BAZ (ß=0.092, 95%CI 0.059 to 0.125). HM carbohydrate intake was associated with higher WAZ (ß= 0.034, 95%CI 0.030 to 0.039), WLZ (ß=0.036, 95%CI 0.030 to 0.043), BAZ (ß=0.039; 95%CI 0.033 to 0.044), and LAZ (ß=0.016, 95%CI 0.010 to 0.022). A positive association was also observed between HM lipid intake and WAZ (ß=0.014, 95%CI 0.009 to 0.020), WLZ (ß=0.017, 95%CI 0.001 to 0.010), and BAZ (ß=0.017, 95%CI 0.012 to 0.024). Conclusions. These results revealed that HM macronutrient intake is associated with infant growth.