Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) Profiles and Growth Indicators of Infants Aged 0-4 Months

The Association Between Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) Profiles and Growth Indicators of Infants Aged 0-4 Months. a Longitudinal Study

The breastfeeding rates globally in Indonesia generally remain low with only 40% or less infants aged 6 months are exclusively breastfed. Available national data in 2018 showed the proportion of wasted in children under 5 years old was 6.7%, while 3.5% children were severely wasted. This data showed improvement compared data in 2007 and 2013. While proportion children under 2 years old with stunted and severly stunted was 29.9%. As the third most abundant group of compounds in human milk, after lactose (70 g/L) and lipids (40 g/L), human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) never been study in Indonesia. HMOs amount and diversity influenced by non modifiable and modifiable factors. The maternal phenotypes, the α-1-2-fucosyltransferase (FUT-2) gene and the α-1-3-4-fucosyltransferase (FUT-3) gene divided the mother into secretor (Se+) and non secretor (Se-) and Le+ or Le-). Studies showed the breastfed infants of non secretor mothers secrete lower HMOs than secretor mothers. By many functions in HMOs such as prebiotic, anti infection, modulate immunity, it is thought that HMOs can influence infant growth. The hypothesis of this study is to show the associations between maternal factors (secretor gene status/FUT-2 gene, lewis gene status/FUT-3 gene, gestational age and gestational weight gain) with HMOs profiles and growth indicators of infants aged 0-4 months.

This study is a prospective longitudinal study to analyze the association between HMOs profiles and growth indicators of infants age 0-4 months. In this longitudinal study, the human milk, anthropometry assessment and questionnaires will be collect in the 0, 2, 4 month of age. Gestational age and birth weight will be obtain from the medical status upon enrollment.

The study will be conduct in Government & Private Hospital in Jakarta between Juli - December 2020. Based on sample size calculation, the total minimal samples are 120 samples. Subjects recruitment will be based on nonprobabilistic consecutive sampling to post partum inpatient mothers in Government & Private Hospital in Jakarta between Juli - December 2020.

Study forms consist of study information, informed consent, screening form, baseline data, follow up form and laboratory result form. The tools requirements are among others Seca 728 electronic infant scale, Anthropometry Plus (AnthroPlus) Software, World Health Organization (WHO) growth velocity chart, Questionnaires, Thermometer, 15 mL polypropylene tube, Disposable gloves and vacuum bag with dry ice. The specimens obtain for this study are 15 mL venous blood for genotyping and 10 mL breast milk (0, 2, 4 month).

After obtaining clearance from Ethical Committee of the Faculty of Medicine University of Indonesia, the post partum mothers will be presented with Form A (study information form). Patients will be informed about the aim, benefits and procedures of the study. If patients agree, she will have to sign the informed consent (Form B).

Study phases consists of

1. screening : description of the aims, benefits and procedures of the study, filling the informed consent, screening based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.

2. Data collection :

   • Interview. Interview will be done to fill information in Form C and D.
   • Subjects selected during the screening visit will follow a 4 month study. Primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at 0, 2, 4 months (visit 1-2-3).

3. Data analysis :

   1. All data will be edited, coded and entry to the computer. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for windows version 20.0 will be use for data analyzing.
   2. Univariate analysis will be conduct to know the distribution of each variables. Test of normality of the data will be perform with Kolmogorov-Smirnov test at the significance level p>0.05 as normally distributed data. The continuous data will be present as mean ± standard deviation and for categorical data in n (%) for normally distributed data and geometric mean ± standard deviation forn non-normally distributed data.
   3. For bivariate analysis, Pearson correlation test will be performed if the data is normally distributed or Spearman Rank test if the data is non-normally distributed. Reference for rho value show in Table 3.3.
   4. Multivariate analysis will be conduct by linear regression model.

Inclusion Criteria:

Mother :

• Age of 18-45 year at the time of delivery
• Willing to breastfed at least up to 4 month
• Singleton birth

Exclusion Criteria:

• Mother :

  • Type 1 or 2 diabetes before or during pregnancy
  • Presenting conditions that contraindicate breastfeeding
  • Smoking

• Infant :

  • Congenital illness or malformation that could affect growth
  • Infants received water or any other food besides breast milk