CORRELATION ANALYSIS OF MAJOR CAROTENOID LEVELS IN MATURE BREAST MILK AND ALLERGIC REACTIONS IN INFANTS IN SHANGHAI

WANG Liang; WANG He; XU Zi-qi; ZHANG Le-yan; NI Meng-mei; CHEN Jin-yao

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Acta Nutrimenta Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (5) : 431-438.

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

CORRELATION ANALYSIS OF MAJOR CAROTENOID LEVELS IN MATURE BREAST MILK AND ALLERGIC REACTIONS IN INFANTS IN SHANGHAI

WANG Liang, WANG He, XU Zi-qi, ZHANG Le-yan, NI Meng-mei, CHEN Jin-yao

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Abstract

Objective To explore the association between the levels of major carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene, and lycopene) in mature breast milk of postpartum women in Shanghai and the allergic reactions in infants, so as to provide a scientific theoretical framework and strategic basis for the prevention and management of allergic reactions in infants. Methods Healthy singleton full-term lactating women and their newborns were recruited from the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient department of Xinhua hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2018 to August 2019. Mature breast milk samples were collected from women within 200 to 400 days postpartum. Baby's allergy status from birth to the day of breast milk collection was also investigated. High performance liquid chromatography was used to detect the contents of carotenoids in breast milks. Mann Whitney U test and logistic regression were used to analyze the association between carotenoid levels in breast milks and allergic reactions in infants. Results A total of 200 pairs of maternal and infant data were included. Lutein was the most abundant carotenoid in the analyzed breast milks. Among them, 70 infants and young children reported a history of allergies. The Mann Whitney U test indicated that there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the contents of lutein and zeaxanthin in breast milks between infants with allergic symptoms and those without allergic symptoms. Logistic regression analysis further showed that as the lutein content in mature breast milks gradually increased, the risk of allergic symptoms in infants gradually decreased (OR=0.843, 95% CI: 0.714-0.996),while other carotenoid levels were not significantly associated with allergic risk. Conclusion The level of lutein in breast milk has a positive impact on allergic reactions in infants. Therefore, the intake level of lutein during early life development in infants may have important clinical significance.

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carotenoids / mature breast milk / infant / allergic symptom / lutein

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WANG Liang, WANG He, XU Zi-qi, ZHANG Le-yan, NI Meng-mei, CHEN Jin-yao. CORRELATION ANALYSIS OF MAJOR CAROTENOID LEVELS IN MATURE BREAST MILK AND ALLERGIC REACTIONS IN INFANTS IN SHANGHAI[J]. Acta Nutrimenta Sinica. 2025, 47(5): 431-438

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