Metabolisable energy consumption in the exclusively breast-fed infant aged 3-6 months from the developed world: a systematic review

Reilly, J.J., Ashworth, S. and Wells, J.C.K. (2005) Metabolisable energy consumption in the exclusively breast-fed infant aged 3-6 months from the developed world: a systematic review. British Journal of Nutrition, 94, pp. 56-63. (doi: 10.1079/BJN20051464)

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate evidence on metabolisable energy consumption and pattern of consumption with age in infants in the developed world who were exclusively breast-fed, at around the time of introducing complementary feeding. We carried out a systematic review aimed at answering three questions: how much milk is transferred from mother to infant?; does transfer increase with the age of the infant?; and what is the metabolisable energy content of breast milk? Thirty-three eligible studies of 1041 mother–infant pairs reported transfer at 3–4 months of age, the weighted mean transfer being 779 (SD 40) g/d. Six studies (99 pairs) measured transfer at 5 months, with a weighted mean transfer of 827 (SD 39) g/d. Five studies (72 pairs) measured milk transfer at 6 months, reporting a weighted mean transfer of 894 (SD 87) g/d. Nine longitudinal studies reported no significant increases in milk transfer after 2–4 months. Twenty-five studies on breast-milk energy content were based on 777 mother–infant pairs. The weighted mean metabolisable energy content was 2·6 (SD 0·2) kJ/g. Breast-milk metabolisable energy content is probably lower, and breast-milk transfer slightly higher, than is usually assumed. Longitudinal studies do not support the hypothesis that breast-milk transfer increases markedly with age. More research on energy intake in 5–6-month-old exclusively breast-fed infants is necessary, and information on the metabolisability of breast milk in mid-infancy is desirable. This evidence should inform future recommendations on infant feeding and help to identify research needs in infant energy balance.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ashworth, Ms Susan and Reilly, Prof John
• Authors: Reilly, J.J., Ashworth, S., and Wells, J.C.K.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; University Services > Library and Collection Services
• Journal Name: British Journal of Nutrition
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• ISSN: 0007-1145