Nutritional and immunological factors in breast milk: a role in the intergenerational transmission from maternal psychopathology to child development

Maria Grazia Di Benedetto, Chiara Bottanelli, Annamaria Cattaneo, Carmine Maria Pariante, Alessandra Borsini

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)
292 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Perinatal psychopathologies affect more than 25% of women during and after their gestational period. These psychiatric disorders can potentially determine important biological variations in their organisms, affecting many different physiological and metabolic pathways. Of relevance, any of these changes occurring in the mother can alter the normal composition of breast milk, particularly the concentration of nutritional and inflammatory components, which play a role in child brain functioning and development. Indeed, there is evidence showing that changes in milk composition can contribute to cognitive impairments and alterations in mental abilities in children. This review aims to shed light on the unique intergenerational role played by breast milk composition, from maternal psychopathologies to child development.
Original languageEnglish
JournalBrain Behaviour and Immunity
Early online date23 May 2019
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 23 May 2019

Keywords

  • Breast milk composition
  • Child behavior
  • Child neurodevelopment
  • Perinatal anxiety
  • Perinatal depression

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