Maternal age influence in human colostrum fat composition

Abstract Introduction: Colostrum is the first milk secretion produced and contains the nutrients necessary for the development of the neonate. Objectives: To compare the chemical level of colostrum fats from adolescent nursing mothers and those of advanced maternal age and to describe their gestational characteristics. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study, including 98 nursing adolescent mothers (up to 24 years of age) and 33 nursing mothers of advanced maternal age (over 35) attending the Maternity Hospital of Presidente Prudente. Colostrum samples were obtained through manual extraction between 48 and 72 hours postpartum. The determination of fats and calories was performed by means of the Creamatocrit technique. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney test. Results: The mean age of the nursing mothers of advanced maternal age was 37 years, statistically higher than that of the adolescent mothers with a mean age of 20 years. In total, 66.3% of the adolescent nursing mothers were primiparous and 66.7% of the mothers of advanced maternal age underwent a cesarean delivery. Gestational BMI was statistically higher in the women of advanced maternal age (31.3±5.6 vs 26.06±3.6). Although the colostrum fat and cream composition was significantly higher in nursing mothers of advanced maternal age, the number of calories was similar between the groups. Conclusion: Advanced maternal age influenced gestational BMI and the biochemical composition of colostrum and its components.