Short summary

As part of the Odense Child Cohort the present study investigates associations between early nutrition and growth and cardiovascular health in infancy and preschool childhood. Almost 350 mothers delivered a breast milk sample when their infant was seen for the first physical examination at 4 months of age. The milk samples are being analyzed for the content of macronutrients (fat, protein and lactose), but we are also investigating their content of factors possibly influencing appetite and subsequently growth. 

Rationale

It is well described and acknowledged, that obesity tracks from infancy and childhood through adolescense to adulthood. Less is known regarding factors regulating 

Description of the cohort

The Odense Child Cohort is an unselected birth cohort comprising children born in the municipality of Odense. Pregnant women were included from January 1st 2010 to December 31st 2012. From March 2012, the inclusion was extended to 2.5 months postpartum.

Data and biological material

For the present study the material of primary interest is breast milk samples collected at four months of age and anthropometric measurements from four, 18, 36 and 60 months of age.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Arla Foods Ingredients Group P/S (the study is an industrial PhD)

Health Outcomes Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

• Professor Jan Sørensen

Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics - Molecular Nutrition, Aarhus University

• Professor Esben Skipper Sørensen

Department of Clinical Sciences, Umeå University

• Professor Magnus Domellöf

Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Umeå University

• Professor Christopher Fowler

Publications associated with the project

Using text messaging to obtain weekly data on infant feeding in a Danish birth cohort resulted in high participation rates. Bruun S, Wedderkopp N, Mølgaard C, Kyhl HB, Zachariassen G, Husby S. Acta Paediatr. 2016 Jun;105(6):648-54.

Free amino acids in human milk and associations with maternal anthropometry and infant growth. Larnkjær A, Bruun S, Pedersen D, Zachariassen G, Barkholt V, Agostoni C, Mlgaard C, Husby S, Michaelsen KF. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2016 Sep;63(3):374-8. 

Breastfeeding, infant formula, and introduction to complementary foods - comparing data obtained by questionnaires and health visitors' reports to weekly short message service text messages. Bruun S, Buhl S, Husby S, Jacobsen LN, Michaelsen KF, Sørensen J, Zachariassen G. Breastfeed Med. 2017 Nov;12(9):554-560.

Osteopontin levels in human milk vary across countries and within lactation period: Data from a multicenter study Bruun S, Jacobsen LN, Ze X, Husby S, Ueno HM, Nojiri K, Kobayashi S, Kwon J, Liu X, Yan S, Yang J, Zachariassen G, Chen L, Zhou W, Christensen B, Sørensen ESS. Accepted for publication in J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. (April 2018).