Maternal age has more pronounced effect on breast milk retinol and β-carotene content than maternal dietary pattern

Objective: The effects on breast milk composition of advanced maternal age and maternal dietary habits during pregnancy and lactation have not, to our knowledge, been investigated in southeastern Europe and the Balkans. The aim of this study was to compare the content of retinol and β-carotene in colostrum and mature milk samples obtained from different maternal age (MA) groups and to assess the potential relationship with maternal and demographic characteristics, dietary patterns, and lifestyle habits during pregnancy and lactation.

Methods: Forty-three nursing mothers were divided in two groups according to MA: ≥35 y of age (n = 22) and <35 y of age (n = 21). Total lipid concentrations were determined by gravimetric method, whereas retinol and β-carotene contents were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography method. Dietary patterns during pregnancy and lactation were assessed using food frequency questionnaires, and principal component analysis (PCA) statistical analysis was performed.

Results: Except for retinol levels in mature milk, significantly higher levels of total fats, retinol, and β-carotene were found in the older group. Results of PCA analysis showed that MA was strongly correlated with fat content, retinol, and β-carotene levels in colostrum samples, whereas in mature milk samples MA was highly correlated with fat content and moderately with β-carotene. In terms of dietary patterns, retinol contents in milk samples from both groups were weakly to moderately correlated with consumption frequency of eggs, meat, milk and dairy products, whereas β-carotene contents were weakly to strongly associated with consumption frequency of fruits and vegetables.

Conclusions: PCA analysis used in the study clearly confirmed that MA, total lipids, retinol, and β-carotene levels might serve as a good criterion for delimitation of breast milk samples collected in different stages of lactation from mothers of various ages. The present findings could represent key basis for further investigations.