Macronutrients in Human Milk and Early Childhood Growth—Is Protein the Main Driver?

Infant growth trajectories reflect current health status and may predict future obesity and metabolic diseases. Human milk is tailored to support optimal infant growth. However, nutrient intake rather than milk composition more accurately predicts growth outcomes. Although the role of protein leverage in infant growth is unclear, protein intake is important for early infancy growth.

Citation:
Ma J, Palmer DJ, Lai CT, Prescott SL, D’Vaz N, Vlaskovsky P, et al. Macronutrients in Human Milk and Early Childhood Growth—Is Protein the Main Driver? Nutrients. 2024;16(20).

Keywords:
Atopy; breastfeeding; fat; human milk macronutrients; infant anthropometrics; infant growth; infant intake; lactation; lactose; protein leverage

Abstract:
Infant growth trajectories reflect current health status and may predict future obesity and metabolic diseases. Human milk is tailored to support optimal infant growth. However, nutrient intake rather than milk composition more accurately predicts growth outcomes. Although the role of protein leverage in infant growth is unclear, protein intake is important for early infancy growth.