Effect of hepatitis B virus infection on the nutrient composition of human breast milk: A prospective cohort study

Peizhen Zhang; Huiqi Jian; Chuo Li; Lin Yao; Tiantian He; Zhangmin Tan; Jin Zhou; Yuzhu Yin

doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141947

Effect of hepatitis B virus infection on the nutrient composition of human breast milk: A prospective cohort study

Food Chem. 2024 Nov 13;465(Pt 2):141947. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141947. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Peizhen Zhang¹, Huiqi Jian², Chuo Li¹, Lin Yao¹, Tiantian He¹, Zhangmin Tan³, Jin Zhou⁴, Yuzhu Yin⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
² Department of Gynecology, Jiangmen Central Hospital, China.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: tanzhm3@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
⁴ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: zhoujn5@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
⁵ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: yinyuzhu@mail.sysu.edu.cn.

PMID: 39577257
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141947

Abstract

There are limited data regarding the impact of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on the composition of human breast milk, and there is no international consensus on the nutritional management of newborns of HBV-positive mothers. We hypothesised that HBV infection can alter the composition of breast milk and that newborns require additional nutritional supplements for healthy growth. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study that recruited 150 pregnant women with HBV infection and matched them with a healthy control group. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that glucose and albumin concentrations were increased in the HBV group (av. 4.65 mmol/L and av. 5.66 g/L, respectively), whereas lactoferrin concentrations decreased (av. 537.68 pg/mL). Therefore, additional lactoferrin supplementation may be necessary for newborns delivered to women with HBV infection.

Keywords: Albumin; Glucose; Lactoferrin; Trace elements; Triglycerides.