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Earlier smoking habits are associated with higher serum lipids and lower milk fat and polyunsaturated fatty acid content in the first 6 months of lactation

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 57, pages 1466–1472 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relation between maternal smoking habits, plasma lipids and milk fatty acid (FA) content and composition.

Design: Breastfeeding mothers who gave birth to healthy, full-term infants were recruited. Mothers were interviewed on smoking habits, being defined smokers (S) when usually smoking at least five cigarettes per day before pregnancy.

Setting: Department of Pediatrics, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy.

Subjects: In total, 92 mothers: 61 non-S (NS) and 31 S.

Interventions: Pooled hindmilk was collected at the first raise of milk (colostrum stage), 1, 3 and 6 months, and total lipid (TL) content and fatty acid (FA) composition were evaluated. Maternal dietary habits were assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire. Two subsamples (16 NS, 6 S) were investigated after delivery and at 3 months for serum lipids and FA status. At 6 months after delivery, the number of mothers still breastfeeding decreased to 30. Variables were compared using nonparametric tests.

Results: In smoking mothers serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins were higher, while those of high-density lipoproteins were lower. TL content in breast milk was similar in the two groups just after delivery but higher in milk from NS at 1 month. TL content and FA absolute amounts of linoleic, arachidonic, α-linolenic and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid in breast milk were lower in S vs NS 1 month after delivery. Also 3 months after delivery, the breast milk of smoking mothers contained less DHA than the breast milk of nonsmoking mothers.

Conclusions: Maternal cigarette smoking in early pregnancy is associated with higher plasma lipid levels and lower milk TL and DHA content in the first months of lactation.

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Author notes

  1. C Agostoni, F Marangoni, F Grandi, A M Lammardo, M Giovannini, E Riva and C Galli: Contributors: C Agostoni had major responsibility for protocol development, patient screening, enrollment, outcome assessment, preliminary data analysis, and writing the manuscript. F Marangoni was responsible for the development of the protocol and analytic framework for the study, and contributed to the writing of the manuscript. F Grandi was responsible for the evolution and processing of data. AM Lammardo was involved in analytical aspects. M Giovannini coordinated the study. E Riva and C Galli supervised the design and execution of the study, performed the final data analyses, and contributed to the writing of the manuscript.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy

    C Agostoni, F Grandi, A M Lammardo, M Giovannini & E Riva

  2. Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Italy

    F Marangoni & C Galli

Authors
  1. C Agostoni
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  2. F Marangoni
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  3. F Grandi
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  4. A M Lammardo
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  5. M Giovannini
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  6. E Riva
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  7. C Galli
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C Agostoni.

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Study supported by the Danone Institute of Italy.

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Agostoni, C., Marangoni, F., Grandi, F. et al. Earlier smoking habits are associated with higher serum lipids and lower milk fat and polyunsaturated fatty acid content in the first 6 months of lactation. Eur J Clin Nutr 57, 1466–1472 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601711

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