The Role of Human Milk in Development of Breast Fed Child's Intestinal Microbiota (MYMILK)

The ideal food for normal infants is human milk. In addition, breast milk has been shown to be a continuous source of commensal, and⁄or probiotic bacteria to the infant gut where they play a key role in the initiation and development of the gut microbiota. Intestinal colonization is essential for maturation of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and the homeostasis of the intestinal epithelium. Colonization begins immediately after birth, while later the composition of the gut microbiota is affected by feeding practices. Results of some studies suggest that long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) promote the adhesion of probiotics to mucosal surfaces and along with probiotic bacteria contribute to the regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses and present a link among mother's diet, and microbes. The main purpose of the proposed research is to establish the link among mothers' nutrition, human milk LCPUFAs composition and microbiota and their potential influence on child's gut microbiota development. Pregnant women from three different regions of Slovenia will be involved into the study. Dietary intakes will be assessed during pregnancy, at the beginning of the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, and during lactation, at 4 weeks post partum, by 7-day weighed dietary protocol (7DP). Human milk (colostrum, and mature human milk) and infant's faeces will be sampled twice: at 2 or 3rd day post partum (meconium) and at 4 weeks post partum for the determination of human milk LCPUFAs composition and the assessment of human milk (colostrum und mature) and faeces microbiota. The fatty acid composition of human milk will be analysed by capillary gas-liquid chromatography (GC). Microbiota of milk and faeces will be studied using conventional microbiological and modern molecular approach such as qualitative and quantitative PCR amplification of informative genomic regions, DGGE/TGGE and/or t-RFLP and sequencing. Regular monthly meetings with the researchers will be organised for discussion and advising. Basic health parameters of infants will be followed. Data will be gathered from maternity department medical charts, from regular paediatric health care visits and from especially designed health care diary each mother will keep until the end of her child's first year.