Merel Italianer

Ms. Merel Italianer

Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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4 August 2020 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MIMerel Italianer
Merel Italianer
ENEva F G Naninck
Eva F G Naninck
JRJorine A. Roelants
Jorine A. Roelants
GHGijsbertus T. J. Van Der Horst
Gijsbertus T. J. Van Der Horst
IRIrwin Reiss
Irwin Reiss
MVMarijn J. Vermeulen
Marijn J. Vermeulen
Background: Breastfeeding is considered the most optimal mode of feeding for neonates and mothers. Human milk changes over the course of lactation in order to perfectly suit the infant’s nutritional and immunological needs. Its composition also varies throughout the day. Circadian fluctuations in some bioactive components are suggested to transfer chronobiological information from mother to child to assist the development of the biological clock. This review aims to give a complete overview of studies examining human milk components found to exhibit circadian variation in their concentration. Methods: We included studies assessing the concentration of a specific human milk component more than once in 24 h. Study characteristics, including gestational age, lactational stage, sampling strategy, analytical method, and outcome were extracted. Methodological quality was graded using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results: A total of 83 reports assessing the circadian variation in the concentration of 71 human milk components were included. Heterogeneity among studies was high. The methodological quality varied widely. Significant circadian variation is found in tryptophan, fats, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, iron, melatonin, cortisol, and cortisone. This may play a role in the child’s growth and development in terms of the biological clock.