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

Reilly, JJ; Ashworth, S; Wells, JCK; (2005) Metabolisable energy consumption in the exclusively breast-fed infant aged 3-6 months from the developed world: a systematic review. BRIT J NUTR , 94 (1) 56 - 63. 10.1079/BJN20051464. Green open access

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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.

Type: Article
Title: Metabolisable energy consumption in the exclusively breast-fed infant aged 3-6 months from the developed world: a systematic review
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1079/BJN20051464
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1079/BJN20051464
Language: English
Additional information: © The Authors 2005
Keywords: infant nutrition, breast feeding, complementary feeding, energy metabolism, FORMULA-FED INFANTS, DOUBLY LABELED WATER, FED HUMAN-MILK, LACTATING WOMEN, 1ST YEAR, NUTRIENT INTAKE, GROWTH, REQUIREMENTS, PROTEIN, EXPENDITURE
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health > Population, Policy and Practice Dept
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/157131
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