Early human development最新文献

{"title":"The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) does not distinguish licensed taekwondo athletes from age-matched sedentary individuals","authors":"Rabia Tasdemir ,&nbsp;Cansu Oztürk ,&nbsp;Ebru Sena Poyraz ,&nbsp;Nevzat Gonder ,&nbsp;Omer Faruk Cihan","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106514","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106514","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The primary aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), a putative marker of prenatal sex hormone exposure, and sports talent among children and adolescents under 18 years of age practicing taekwondo. The 2D:4D ratio is thought to reflect intrauterine testosterone and estrogen exposure, and has been associated in some studies with physical performance and athletic potential.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This cross-sectional study included licensed taekwondo athletes aged 9–17 years from Gaziantep, Turkiye, and an age-matched control group of non-athletic healthy peers. Finger lengths were measured directly using a digital caliper with 0.1 mm precision, and the 2D:4D ratios for both hands were calculated. Demographic and anthropometric data, hand and foot dominance were also recorded.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Sex-based analysis revealed that female athletes exhibited significantly higher right and left 2D:4D ratios than male athletes (<em>p</em> = 0.012 and <em>p</em> = 0.010, respectively). In the control group, females had significantly higher right and left 2D:4D ratios but lower body weight, BMI, and right and left fourth-digit lengths compared to males (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). No significant differences were identified between sex-matched athlete and control participants (<em>p</em> &gt; 0.05). Analysis according to hand and foot laterality showed no significant differences within the control group; however, right-foot-dominant athletes demonstrated significantly higher right-hand 2D:4D ratios (<em>p</em> = 0.022). Logistic regression analysis indicated that neither finger length nor 2D:4D ratio exerted a statistically significant effect on athletic ability (p &gt; 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the relationship between 2D:4D ratios and taekwondo performance in both male and female youth athletes in a Turkish population. The results suggest that the 2D:4D ratio may not serve as a reliable biomarker for athletic talent in this demographic. Further research including elite athletes and samples from diverse regions is warranted to confirm these findings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 106514"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146131419","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Longitudinal examination of early motor ability and motor developmental change to predict two-year cognitive outcomes in preterm infants","authors":"Kanishka Baduni ,&nbsp;Caitlin P. Kjeldsen ,&nbsp;Mary Lauren Neel ,&nbsp;Joshua Lukemire ,&nbsp;Larken R. Marra ,&nbsp;Phillip.D. Tomporowski ,&nbsp;Nathalie L. Maitre","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106515","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106515","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Preterm infants have high rates of motor and cognitive delays. Early motor function is a key indicator of later cognitive ability in preterm infants, yet the specificity of fine- and gross-motor contributions to cognition remains unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Aims</h3><div>To determine (1) whether 12-month motor ability is a predictor for 24-month cognition when cognitive items are partitioned into established fine-motor-dependent (FMD) and fine-motor-minimized (FMM) cognitive subsets, and (2) whether fine- and gross-motor changes from 12 to 24 months are prospectively associated with 24-month global cognition.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data were drawn from a longitudinal NICU cohort (<em>N</em> = 114). Neuromotor status was assessed using the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) and developmental metrics with the Bayley. Multivariate regression examined 12-month motor ability and 24-month cognitive outcomes (Aim 1). Linear regression modeled fine- (ΔFM) and gross-motor (ΔGM) change from 12 to 24 months predicting 24-month cognition (Aim 2), adjusting for gestational age, baseline cognition, and neuromotor classification.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Higher 12-month motor ability predicted higher 24-month cognition across both FMD (β = 0.21, <em>p</em> = .037) and FMM (β = 0.07, <em>p</em> = .021) cognitive outcomes. Fine-motor change from 12 to 24 months (ΔFM) predicted higher 24-month cognition (β = 0.32, <em>p</em> = .002), whereas gross-motor change (ΔGM) was nonsignificant (β = −0.06, <em>p</em> = .74).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Early global motor competence and subsequent FM growth both relate to cognitive development in preterm infants. Results suggest a developmental shift from generalized motor development to FM specialization across the second year, identifying FM progression as a potential marker of cognitive advancement in early childhood.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 106515"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146156528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Developmental progression of bottle-feeding in the first year of life","authors":"Alaina Martens ,&nbsp;Jessica Davidson ,&nbsp;Katharine Radville ,&nbsp;Natalie Peterman ,&nbsp;Hayden Kamiya ,&nbsp;Kristen Allison ,&nbsp;Emily Zimmerman","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106507","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106507","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nutritive sucking (NS), the primary nutritional intake mechanism for infants, represents the cornerstone of early feeding development. NS depends on the integration of efficiency, safety, and coordination to ensure adequate growth and development. Prior work has examined feeding skills at single timepoints. However, information on feeding proficiency and effectiveness across the course of development is limited. Further, despite the importance of nutrition as the main purpose for infant feeding, few clinical instruments exist for quantifying infant feeding physiology. Twenty-seven mother-infant dyads participated in this prospective, longitudinal study with repeated measures at three, six, and nine months. Oral feeding skills were evaluated using the Oral Feeding Skills (OFS) Scale to gather quantitative measurements of infants' feeding abilities [1]. The scale was completed while caregivers bottle-feed their infant. The initial volume of milk offered increased significantly with age. Transfer rate was significantly faster at nine months as compared to at three months. There were no significant effects of age on OFS proficiency or overall transfer volume at any timepoint. These findings provide insights into caregiver practices and infant maturation of bottle feeding. They suggest that while the mechanics of feeding (speed, volume) change with development, fundamental feeding behavior and appetite regulation remain stable.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 106507"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146131437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Significant reduction in intrapartum-related perinatal brain injury in infants born at ≥35 weeks' gestation: A regional population-based study over 15 years","authors":"Koutarou Doi ,&nbsp;Yuki Kodama ,&nbsp;Satoshi Matsuzawa ,&nbsp;Tomoko Goto ,&nbsp;Junsuke Muraoka ,&nbsp;Midori Fujisaki ,&nbsp;Naoshi Yamada ,&nbsp;Hajime Taniguchi ,&nbsp;Ken Furuta ,&nbsp;Yasuyuki Kawagoe ,&nbsp;Masatoki Kaneko ,&nbsp;Shinji Katsuragi ,&nbsp;Tsuyomu Ikenoue ,&nbsp;Hiroshi Sameshima","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106495","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106495","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The ultimate goal of perinatal care is to ensure that infants survive without neurological impairment. Despite advances in medical technology and healthcare systems that have markedly decreased perinatal mortality, cerebral palsy has shown only a gradual decline in recent population-based studies. The aim of this study was to use a pathway classification system to analyze brain injury cases detected at or beyond 35 weeks' gestation and to clarify temporal changes in the incidence and causal pathways of intrapartum brain injury and its contributing factors in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Of 151,558 births recorded in Miyazaki Prefecture from 2001 to 2015, 303 cases of brain injury were registered in the regional perinatal case-review system. Of these, 134 were detected at ≥35 weeks. Brain injury was categorized as congenital anomalies, antepartum, intrapartum, or neonatal onset. Each case was further classified using a pathway system that considered distal and proximal risk factors. Temporal trend analysis was performed across three consecutive 5-year intervals (2001–2005, 2006–2010, and 2011–2015).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 134 cases, 25% were classified as intrapartum-related, 23% as antepartum-related, and 5% as neonatal-related. Overall, the incidence of brain injury at ≥35 weeks decreased significantly over time. Significant downward trends were observed in total cases and intrapartum-related brain injury, with the reduction in intrapartum cases being especially pronounced. Antepartum-related brain injury declined more gradually. Further analysis revealed that the incidence of hypoxia-related intrapartum brain injuries decreased over time, whereas bacterial infection-related intrapartum cases were observed only in the earliest epoch.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This population-based study identified temporal changes in perinatal brain injury detected at or beyond 35 weeks' gestation over 15 years. The incidence of perinatal brain injury declined significantly, particularly intrapartum-related cases with hypoxia-related injury. These improvements might reflect advances in regionalized perinatal care, the establishment of perinatal centers, or multidisciplinary education and training. Further efforts to optimize intrapartum assessment and management would contribute to continued reductions in severe perinatal brain injury.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"216 ","pages":"Article 106495"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146096065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Aerobic and anaerobic competence in preterm born children at the age of 10–14 years","authors":"Peter Andriessen ,&nbsp;Julia Meijer ,&nbsp;Anke Moret ,&nbsp;Noortje van den Dungen ,&nbsp;Martine van Dam ,&nbsp;Ellen de Kort ,&nbsp;Wendy Aertssen","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106482","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106482","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Preterm birth has been associated with reduced motor competence and may contribute to diminished aerobic and anaerobic endurance.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To assess physical fitness in preterm-born youth and explore perinatal and earlier motor performances as mediators.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Eighty preterm infants (&lt;30 weeks' gestation), previously assessed for motor performance at 5.5 and 8 years, were re-evaluated at 10–14 years using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, the Modified Shuttle Test-Paeds (MSTP), and a 4 × 10 m sprint test.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Only 39% of participants at age 10–14 years scored within the normal motor range (total motor score &gt; 16th percentile). Mean MSTP-predicted peak VO₂ was 37.7 ± 5.7 ml/kg/min, with 55% below the 10th percentile. Sprint time averaged 13.9 ± 1.3 s, with 64% below the 10th percentile. Maternal education was significantly associated with normal motor development, but not with aerobic or anaerobic capacity. Males showed higher anaerobic capacity than females. Weak correlations were observed between total motor scores and both aerobic and anaerobic outcome measures. Using total motor scores as input, the binary classification of aerobic and anaerobic capacity - based on thresholds for normal performance - showed poor discriminative ability.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Although children may attain motor scores within the normal range, the majority demonstrated aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels below normative standards. These findings highlight persistent physical fitness challenges in children born extremely preterm and support the need for direct assessment of aerobic and anaerobic capacity alongside standard follow-up evaluations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"215 ","pages":"Article 106482"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prenatal small head circumference: Which biomarkers best predict microcephaly?","authors":"A. Fournier ,&nbsp;S. Dahan ,&nbsp;L. Hermitte ,&nbsp;B. Testud ,&nbsp;K. Chaumoitre ,&nbsp;M. Massena ,&nbsp;E. Lesieur ,&nbsp;F. Bretelle ,&nbsp;M. Capelle ,&nbsp;N. Girard ,&nbsp;B. Tosello ,&nbsp;M. Milh ,&nbsp;B. Desnous","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106497","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106497","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Prenatal ultrasound detection of a small head circumference (US-SHC) is a key indicator of microcephaly. This retrospective study (2015–2024) aimed to determine the incidence of SHC at birth (b-SHC) and microcephaly at 6 months, and to identify prenatal biomarkers.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We included 55 fetuses with us-SHC and median postnatal follow-up of 28 months (range: 7–112).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among the 47 fetuses with available outcomes, b-SHC was confirmed in 31 (66%), while persistent microcephaly at 6 months was observed in 16 of 34 (47%) liveborns. Fetal brain MRI, particularly cerebral biparietal and occipitofrontal diameters below the third percentile, accurately predicted b-SHC, with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 83% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 82% but were less effective for persistent microcephaly (PPV 53%, NPV 75%). Prenatal deceleration in HC growth was a key predictor of both b-SHC (OR = 13.86, <em>p</em> = 0.028) and persistent microcephaly (OR = 13.00, <em>p</em> = 0.025). A genetic etiology was identified in 44% (7/16) of infants with confirmed microcephaly; chromosomal microarray had a 12% (5/43) diagnostic yield.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Prenatal us-SHC predicted postnatal microcephaly in nearly half of cases. Prenatal HC growth deceleration emerged as a biomarker of persistent microcephaly.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"215 ","pages":"Article 106497"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146074460","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Self-reported pain sensitivity in adults born extremely preterm compared to term-born controls: A matched cohort study","authors":"Julie Vestavik Berge ,&nbsp;Silje Nesthus ,&nbsp;Merete Røineland Benestad ,&nbsp;Geir Egil Eide ,&nbsp;Thomas Halvorsen ,&nbsp;Bente Johanne Vederhus","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106492","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106492","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To compare self-reported pain sensitivity and the use of pain medication in young adults born extremely preterm (EP) with matched term-born controls.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this third follow-up of a population-based cohort study of individuals born EP (gestational age ≤28 weeks) in 1991–92, the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ) was administered together with health-related questions. Matched term-born controls served as a comparison group.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>At 27 years of age, 24 (69%) EP-born and 26 (74%) term-born controls consented to participate. There were no significant differences between groups in PSQ total, moderate, or minor scores, nor in the use of pain medication. No associations were found between the number of painful procedures in the neonatal period and pain sensitivity at 27 years.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Self-reported pain sensitivity and use of pain medication at 27 years of age did not differ between adults born extremely preterm and their term-born peers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"215 ","pages":"Article 106492"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146060942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The relationship between neonatal hyperglycemia, neonatal illness, and 3-year outcomes in extremely preterm infants","authors":"Shin Fujiwara ,&nbsp;Ryou Furukawa ,&nbsp;Seiko Maeno ,&nbsp;Sayaka Fujimura ,&nbsp;Hisako Saeki ,&nbsp;Chiharu Matubara ,&nbsp;Rie Fukuhara","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106480","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106480","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To investigate the association between neonatal hyperglycemia during the first month of life and perinatal characteristics, neonatal morbidities, and developmental outcomes at 3 years of age in extremely preterm (EPT) infants.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This retrospective cohort study included infants born at before 28 weeks of gestation between 2013 and 2020. Infants were categorized into normoglycemia, mild hyperglycemia, and severe hyperglycemia groups based on the frequency of morning blood glucose measurements ≥150 mg/dL and ≥180 mg/dL during the first 28 postnatal days. Perinatal data, clinical outcomes, and neurodevelopmental assessments at 3 years of age using the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development 2001 (KSPD) were analyzed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 195 infants with available glucose data, 151 underwent neurodevelopmental assessment at 3 years of age. Greater degrees of hyperglycemia were associated with lower gestational age (GA) and birth weight. Severe hyperglycemia was significantly associated with increased rates of postnatal steroid use and late-onset circulatory collapse (LCC). Infants with severe hyperglycemia demonstrated significantly lower overall Development Quotient (DQ) and Postural-Motor (P-M) DQ scores in univariate analyses. Similarly, higher mean blood glucose levels were associated with lower scores in these domains. However, after adjustment for birth weight and LCC, these associations were no longer statistically significant.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In EPT infants, neonatal hyperglycemia during the first postnatal month was associated with greater immaturity, and did not show an independent association with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes at 3 years of age.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"215 ","pages":"Article 106480"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146017994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Educational value of YouTube videos on exercise during pregnancy: A cross-sectional analysis","authors":"Ugur Sozlu ,&nbsp;Rumeysa Barut","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106489","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106489","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Exercise during pregnancy provides significant physical and psychological benefits for both the mother and fetus. However, many women rely on online platforms such as YouTube for guidance, where the accuracy and quality of information can vary widely.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the educational value of YouTube videos related to exercise during pregnancy.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic search was conducted on YouTube using the keywords “exercise in pregnancy” and “exercise during pregnancy.” A total of 97 videos were analyzed in terms of quality, reliability, and comprehensiveness. The Global Quality Scale (GQS) was used to assess video quality, while reliability was evaluated using the modified DISCERN (mDISCERN) scale. The Exercise Specific Score in Pregnancy (EPSS) was employed to assess the educational content of the videos, and viewer engagement was measured using an interaction index based on likes, comments, and views.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Most content was produced by certified pre and postnatal birth coaches (<em>n</em> = 55, 56.7%). Nearly half of the videos were high quality (<em>n</em> = 46, 47.4%), and the majority were reliable (<em>n</em> = 81, 83.5%). Professional organizations mainly produced moderate quality content, whereas health professionals and certified birth coaches generated higher quality videos; in contrast, fitness trainers tended to produce lower quality content. No significant correlations were found between GQS, mDISCERN, EPSS scores, and the interaction index (<em>p</em> &gt; 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings suggest that YouTube videos on exercise during pregnancy are generally high-quality and reliable. However, viewer engagement does not align with quality and reliability, indicating a potential risk of pregnant women accessing misleading or inaccurate information.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"215 ","pages":"Article 106489"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146028633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chrononutrition: 24-hour variation in macronutrients in very preterm human milk","authors":"Alja Bijlsma ,&nbsp;Demy van Gilst ,&nbsp;Inês Chaves ,&nbsp;Irwin K.M. Reiss ,&nbsp;Koen F.M. Joosten ,&nbsp;Stefanie M.P. Kouwenhoven ,&nbsp;Marijn J. Vermeulen ,&nbsp;Jorine A. Roelants","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106481","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2026.106481","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Human milk composition varies in time to meet the evolving growth and developmental requirements of infants. While 24-hour (diurnal) variations in human milk composition for term-born infants have been reported, evidence concerning diurnal variation of preterm human milk composition remains inconclusive.</div></div><div><h3>Research aim</h3><div>To examine the presence of diurnal variations in macronutrient content in very preterm human milk.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>Milk samples were donated by mothers of very preterm infants (&lt;30 weeks gestation). Milk series (defined as sequential milk samples collected from one mother) consisted of 13 to 17 (median 15) samples, collected over three consecutive days. Milk macronutrient (fat, true protein and carbohydrates) content were measured using mid-infrared spectrophotometry (Miris HMA™). Rhythmicity analyses and logistic regression analyses were performed to explore associations between macronutrient rhythmicity and pregnancy duration (weeks), infants' sex, and lactational stage).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 22 milk series studied, 12 (55%) showed 24-hour rhythmicity in one or more macronutrients. Fat content showed rhythmicity in 41% of the series, with varying peak times. For carbohydrates, protein and calculated energy content, rhythmicity was only identified in 18%, 14% and 27% of the milk series, respectively. Longer pregnancy duration was associated with increased odds of rhythmicity (odds ratio 2.1 (95% confidence interval 1.02–4.21), <em>p</em> = 0.04), but not with sex or stage of lactation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Over half of the preterm human milk samples exhibited diurnal macronutrient rhythmicity, mainly in fat levels. The observed rhythms had varying peak times, suggesting phase differences of the maternal rhythms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"215 ","pages":"Article 106481"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145957673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}