Study of Nutrients in Human Milk and Infant Brain Development Using Egg Supplementation for Breastfeeding Mothers and Their Infants

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate whether supplementing breastfeeding mothers and their infants with whole egg powder, rich in nutrients like choline, lutein, and docosahexaenoic acid, supports optimal brain development. The study involves 84 mother-infant pairs, focusing on infants 3 months postnatal, comparing whole egg powder to egg white powder as a control. The purpose is to understand the combined activity of these nutrients in human milk and their impact on infant cognition. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either whole egg powder or egg white powder, with mothers consuming the equivalent of five servings per week for three months. Visits to the lab occur three times at infant ages 3 months, 4.5 months, and 6 months. During these visits, various samples including milk, saliva, and plasma are collected from mothers, while saliva and plasma are collected from infants. Diet intake is monitored via questionnaires and screening tools throughout the study. Infants undergo a recognition memory test using electrophysiology at 6 months and are assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 4.5 months. Mothers complete temperament questionnaires at 3 and 6 months. Researchers track dietary intake, biological samples, and developmental outcomes to measure the effects of the nutrient supplements. The total study duration for each dyad spans three months, with detailed monitoring and assessments at each visit.

Synergistic Activity of Human Milk Nutrients and Infant Cognition