A nutritional supplement during preconception and pregnancy increases human milk vitamin D but not B-vitamin concentrations.

Optimal maternal vitamin status during pregnancy and lactation is essential to support maternal and infant health. For instance, vitamin D3 is involved in infant bone development, and B-vitamins are involved in various metabolic processes, including energy production. Through a double-blind randomised controlled trial, we investigated the effects of maternal supplementation from preconception throughout pregnancy until birth on human milk (HM) concentrations of vitamin D3 and B-vitamins. In addition, we aimed to characterise longitudinal changes in milk concentrations of these vitamins. Both control and intervention supplements contained calcium, iodine, iron, β-carotene, and folic acid, while the intervention also contained zinc, vitamins B2, B6, B12, and D3, probiotics, and myo-inositol. HM samples were collected across 4 time points from 1 week to 3 months post-delivery from 158 mothers in Singapore, and 7 time points from 1 week to 12 months from 180 mothers in New Zealand. HM vitamin D was quantified using supercritical fluid chromatography and B-vitamins with mass spectrometry. Potential intervention effects on HM vitamins D3, B2, B6, and B9, as well as other B-vitamin (B1 and B3) concentrations were assessed using linear mixed models with a repeated measures design. Over the first 3 months of lactation, HM 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations were 20% (95% CI 8%, 33%, P = 0.001) higher in the intervention group, with more marked effects in New Zealand. There were no observed intervention effects on HM concentrations of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and B9. In New Zealand mothers, longitudinally, vitamin D3 concentrations gradually increased from early lactation up to 12 months, while vitamins B1 and B2 peaked at 6 weeks, B3 at 3 weeks, and B6 and B9 at 3 months. Maternal supplementation during preconception and pregnancy increased HM vitamin D, but not B-vitamin concentrations in lactation. Further studies are required to examine the discrete benefits of vitamin D supplementation starting preconception vs during pregnancy, and to further characterise the effects of supplementation on later offspring health outcomes. Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on the 16 July 2015 (identifier NCT02509988); Universal Trial Number U1111-1171-8056. This study was academic-led by the EpiGen Global Research Consortium.

Han SM ，Huang F ，Derraik JGB ，Vickers MH ，Devaraj S ，Redeuil K ，Campos-Giménez E ，Pang WW ，Godfrey KM ，Chan SY ，Thakkar SK ，Cutfield WS ，NiPPeR Study Group ... -  《-》

A nutritional supplement taken during preconception and pregnancy influences human milk macronutrients in women with overweight/obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus.

Maternal overweight/obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are associated with an increased risk of their offspring developing overweight/obesity or type 2 diabetes later in life. However, the impacts of maternal overweight/obesity and dysglycemia on human milk (HM) macronutrient composition are not well understood. Through a double-blind randomised controlled trial, we investigated the effects of maternal supplementation from preconception throughout pregnancy until birth on HM macronutrient concentrations, in association with maternal and infant factors including maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and GDM status. In addition, we aimed to characterise longitudinal changes in HM macronutrients. The control supplement contained calcium, iodine, iron, β-carotene, and folic acid. The intervention supplement additionally contained zinc, vitamins B2, B6, B12, and D3, probiotics, and myo-inositol. HM samples were collected across seven time points from 1 week to 12 months from Singapore and/or New Zealand. HM macronutrient concentrations were measured using a MIRIS Human Milk Analyser. Potential differences in HM macronutrient concentrations were assessed using linear mixed models with a repeated measures design. Overall, HM macronutrient concentrations were similar between control and intervention groups. Among the control group, overweight/obesity and GDM were associated with higher HM fat and energy concentrations over the first 3 months. Such associations were not observed among the intervention group. Of note, mothers with GDM in the intervention group had lower HM fat by 10% (p = 0.049) and energy by 6% (p = 0.029) than mothers with GDM in the control group. Longitudinal changes in HM macronutrient concentrations over 12 months of lactation in New Zealand showed that HM fat and energy decreased in the first 6 months then increased until 12 months. HM lactose gradually decreased from 1 week to 12 months while crude protein decreased from 1 week to 6 months then remained relatively constant until 12 months of lactation. Maternal overweight/obesity or GDM were associated with increased HM fat and energy levels. We speculate the intervention taken during preconception and pregnancy altered the impact of maternal BMI or GDM status on HM macronutrient composition. Further studies are required to identify the mechanisms underlying altered HM macronutrient concentration in the intervention group and to determine any long-term effects on offspring health. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02509988, Universal Trial Number U1111-1171-8056. Registered on 16 July 2015. This is an academic-led study by the EpiGen Global Research Consortium.

Han SM ，Derraik JGB ，Vickers MH ，Devaraj S ，Huang F ，Pang WW ，Godfrey KM ，Chan SY ，Thakkar SK ，Cutfield WS ，NiPPeR Study Group ... -  《-》

Maternal B-vitamin and vitamin D status before, during, and after pregnancy and the influence of supplementation preconception and during pregnancy: Prespecified secondary analysis of the NiPPeR double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Godfrey KM ，Titcombe P ，El-Heis S ，Albert BB ，Tham EH ，Barton SJ ，Kenealy T ，Chong MF ，Nield H ，Chong YS ，Chan SY ，Cutfield WS ，NiPPeR Study Group ... -  《-》

A nutritional supplement containing zinc during preconception and pregnancy increases human milk zinc concentrations.

During pregnancy and lactation minerals such as zinc are required to support maternal and infant health. Zinc is involved in various cellular processes, with requirements increasing in pregnancy and lactation. In the setting of a randomized trial, we investigated the effects on human milk (HM) zinc concentrations of a micronutrient-containing supplement including zinc in the intervention (but not control) group, started preconception and taken throughout pregnancy until birth. Additionally, we characterized longitudinal changes in HM concentrations of zinc and other minerals (calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and sodium). HM samples were collected across 7 time points from 1 week to 12 months from lactating mothers from Singapore (n = 158) and New Zealand (n = 180). HM minerals were quantified using sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Potential intervention effects on HM mineral concentrations were assessed using linear mixed models with a repeated measures design and time-weighted area-under-the-curve analyses. Over the first 3 months of lactation, HM zinc concentrations were 11% higher in the intervention group compared to the control group (p = 0.021). Higher HM zinc concentrations were most evident at 6 weeks of lactation. The intervention had no effect on HM concentrations of other minerals, which were not differently supplemented to the control and intervention groups. Temporal changes in HM minerals over 12 months of lactation were studied in the New Zealand mothers; HM zinc and copper concentrations progressively decreased throughout 12 months, while iron, potassium, sodium, and phosphorus decreased until 6 months then plateaued. HM calcium and magnesium initially increased in early lactation and iodine remained relatively constant throughout 12 months. HM manganese and selenium fell over the initial months of lactation, with a nadir at 6 months, and increased thereafter. The contrasting patterns of changes in HM mineral concentrations during lactation may reflect different absorption needs and roles at different stages of infancy. Overall, this study indicates that HM zinc concentrations are influenced by maternal supplementation during preconception and pregnancy. Further studies are required to understand the associations between HM zinc and other minerals and both short- and long-term offspring outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02509988, Universal Trial Number U1111-1171-8056. Registered on 16 July 2015. This is an academic-led study by the EpiGen Global Research Consortium.

Han SM ，Devaraj S ，Derraik JGB ，Vickers MH ，Huang F ，Dubascoux S ，Godfrey KM ，Chan SY ，Pang WW ，Thakkar SK ，Cutfield WS ，NiPPeR Study Group ... -  《-》

Nutritional Intervention Preconception and During Pregnancy to Maintain Healthy Glucose Metabolism and Offspring Health ("NiPPeR"): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Godfrey KM ，Cutfield W ，Chan SY ，Baker PN ，Chong YS ，NiPPeR Study Group ... -  《Trials》