Breast Milk Micronutrients and Infant Neurodevelopmental Outcomes: A Systematic Review

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Breast Milk Micronutrients and Infant Neurodevelopmental Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Lockyer et al., 2021 | Nutrients | Systematic Review

Citation

Lockyer Francesca, McCann Samantha, Moore Sophie E. Breast Milk Micronutrients and Infant Neurodevelopmental Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2021-Oct-28;13(11). doi:10.3390/nu13113848

Abstract

Micronutrients are fundamental for healthy brain development and deficiencies during early development can have a severe and lasting impact on cognitive outcomes. Evidence indicates that undernourished lactating individuals may produce breast milk containing lower concentrations of certain vitamins and minerals. Exclusively breastfed infants born to mothers deficient in micronutrients may therefore be at risk of micronutrient deficiencies, with potential implications for neurodevelopment. This systematic review aims to consider current knowledge on the effects of breast milk micronutrients on the developmental outcomes of infants. The databases Medline, Global Health, PsychInfo, Open Grey, and the Web of Science were searched for papers published before February 2021. Studies were included if they measured micronutrients in breast milk and their association with the neurodevelopmental outcomes of exclusively breastfed infants. Also, randomised control trials investigating neurocognitive outcomes following maternal supplementation during lactation were sought. From 5477 initial results, three observational studies were eligible for inclusion. These investigated associations between breast milk levels of vitamin B6, carotenoids, or selenium and infant development. Results presented suggest that pyroxidal, β-carotene, and lycopene are associated with infant neurodevelopmental outcomes. Limited eligible literature and heterogeneity between included papers prevented quantitative synthesis. Insufficient evidence was identified, precluding any conclusions on the relationship between breast milk micronutrients and infant developmental outcomes. Further, the evidence available was limited by a high risk of bias. This highlights the need for further research in this area to understand the long-term influence of micronutrients in breast milk, the role of other breast milk micronutrients in infant neurodevelopmental outcomes, and the impact of possible lactational interventions.

Key Findings

This highlights the need for further research in this area to understand the long-term influence of micronutrients in breast milk, the role of other breast milk micronutrients in infant neurodevelopmental outcomes, and the impact of possible lactational interventions.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition cognitive

MeSH Terms

  • Brain
  • Breast Feeding
  • Child Development
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Nutrition Disorders
  • Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Micronutrients
  • Milk, Human
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: selenium

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09