Background and aims: 1 in 10 pregnant women is diagnosed with gestational hypertension. Increasing evidence suggests that preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension may affect human breast milk’s lactogenesis and percentage composition. We aimed to examine whether there is any significant influence of gestational hypertension on the composition of macronutrients in human breast milk and to assess its correlation with fetal growth. Methods: A total of 72 breastfeeding women (34 diagnosed with gestational hypertension and 38 normotensive women during pregnancy) were recruited to the study at the Division of Neonatology, Medical University of Gdańsk, between June and December 2022. Milk samples were collected between the 3rd and 6th day of lactogenesis. Samples were analyzed using the Miris HMA™ Human Milk Analyzer (Upsala, Sweden), which evaluates the milk composition’s energy, fat, carbohydrate and protein quantity. In addition, we assessed the children’s anthropometric measurements (birth weight, body length and head circumference at birth). We used logistic regression to estimate the adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Results: The mean (±standard deviation) macronutrient composition per 10 mL of milk in the GH group was 2.5 g (±0.9) of fat, 1.7 g (±0.3) of true protein, 7.7 g (±0.3) of carbohydrates and 63.2 g (±8.1) of energy, in the normotensive women group 1.0 g (±0.9) of fat, 1.7 g (±0.3) of true protein, 7.3 g (±0.4) of carbohydrates and 57.9 g (±8.6) of energy content, respectively. The fat composition was higher in the PIH group by a mean of 0.6 g (p < 0.005). Gestational hypertension had a positive, significant correlation with birth weight (p < 0.013) and the mother’s pre-pregnancy weight (p < 0.005). Conclusions: In conclusion, we found significant differences between milk composition in postpartum women with gestational hypertension compared to healthy, normotensive women. Human milk from women with gestational hypertension was found to contain a higher composition of fat, carbohydrates and energy in comparison to healthy women. Our aim is to further evaluate this correlation, as well as to assess the growth rate of newborns in order to determine the need for individualized formulas for women with pregnancy-induced hypertension, those with poor lactogenesis and those who cannot or choose not to breastfeed.
Human milk (HM) contains the essential macronutrients and bioactive compounds necessary for the normal growth and development of newborns. The milk collected by human milk banks is stored frozen and pasteurized, reducing its nutritional and biological value. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of hyperbaric storage at subzero temperatures (HS-ST) on the macronutrients and bioactive proteins in HM. As control samples, HM was stored at the same temperatures under 0.1 MPa. A Miris HM analyzer was used to determine the macronutrients and the energy value. The lactoferrin (LF), lysozyme (LYZ) and α-lactalbumin (α-LAC) content was checked using high-performance liquid chromatography, and an ELISA test was used to quantify secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA). The results showed that the macronutrient content did not change significantly after 90 days of storage at 60 MPa/−5 °C, 78 MPa/−7 °C, 111 MPa/−10 °C or 130 MPa/−12 °C. Retention higher than 90% of LYZ, α-LAC, LF and sIgA was observed in the HM stored at conditions of up to 111 MPa/−10 °C. However, at 130 MPa/−12 °C, there was a reduction in LYZ and LF, by 39 and 89%, respectively. The storage of HM at subzero temperatures at 0.1 MPa did not affect the content of carbohydrates or crude and true protein. For fat and the energy value, significant decreases were observed at −5 °C after 90 days of storage.
Respiratory complications are among the most common problems addressed in neonatology in the first hours after birth, whereas the risk of any cancer in the neonatal period is 28 per million. Sarcomas, malignant mesenchymal neoplasms, account for about 8% of all neoplasms in the neonatal period. We report on a male neonate born at 36 + 4/7 weeks of gestation, diagnosed with retropharyngeal synovial carcinoma. Ineffective respiratory movements and generalized cyanosis were the first symptoms to be noted. On the ultrasound examination of the neck, a tumor of the retropharyngeal space was exposed, then visualized by an MRI of the head and neck. The biopsy analysis revealed the diagnosis of an extremely rare tumor in a neonate. The location of its growth was atypical, contributing to a diagnostic challenge. The neoplasm was treated solely with chemotherapy concordantly with the CWS protocol, individually customized for our patient. Preterm birth, as in our case, 36 + 4/7 weeks of gestation, may imply a possible need for resuscitation or support in the transition period. Aggressive high-grade tumors of the head and neck region are locally invasive and prone to metastasize. However, prognosis in infants is hard to estimate, therefore both individualized treatment and multidisciplinary care should be tailored to the needs of the patient.