Current understanding of breast milk component composition in women who gave birth prematurely and at term

Abstract

To date, there have been sufficient data and information on the role of breast milk in nutrition, functional development of the newborn and the formation of immune responses. However, the influence of various factors on the component composition of breast milk remains poorly understood. This review presents data on the qualitative and quantitative changes in various organic and inorganic compounds in breast milk depending on the degree of prematurity of the newborn. In preterm birth and early onset of lactation, activation of the sialic acid production system may result in increased production of sialylated oligosaccharides involved in nervous system development. There are also contradictions in the information concerning the antioxidant content in breast milk. Some reports suggest that the milk of women who gave birth prematurely contains more antioxidants than that of women who gave birth at term. In contrast, other studies demonstrate a lower overall antioxidant function of breast milk in the early stages of lactation. Epidermal growth factor plays a significant role in providing protection against intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury, hemorrhagic shock, and necrotizing enterocolitis. This article reviews domestic and foreign literature for the period 2012–2022 and aims to systematize the information on the composition of breast milk in women who gave birth at term and prematurely. Key words: breast milk, composition, preterm infants, full-term infants