Researchers at the Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health published a study on October 31, 2026, in the European Journal of Nutrition linking higher levels of specific odd- and branched-chain fatty acids in breast milk to lower infant motor scores at eight months, Mondosanità reported.
The study tracked 120 mother-infant pairs, analyzing milk samples collected 42 days after birth and again at eight months. Using standardized Bayley scales to evaluate cognitive and motor development, the team observed that elevated concentrations of molecules like pentadecanoic acid and heptadecanoic acid corresponded with lower motor scores.
These technical names refer to components present in small quantities in human milk, specifically pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) and heptadecanoic acid (C17:0). Higher levels of C15:0, C17:0, and certain combinations of these fats tended to correspond with lower motor scores.
The observed associations remained statistically significant after multiple comparisons, yet researchers emphasize that correlation does not prove causation. Mondosanità noted that these fatty acids, known as OBCFA, connect to microbial activity and common foods such as dairy and ruminant meat. They may simply indicate broader biological processes rather than directly causing motor difficulties.
A separate study published on October 8, 2026, in the journal Science by the International Milk Composition consortium examined how targeted nutritional interventions affect breast milk. sanitainformazione.it reported that researchers evaluated randomized clinical trials in Burkina Faso, Pakistan, and Tanzania, finding that specific supplements increased B vitamins and selenium in milk while macronutrients remained relatively stable.
One of the main findings concerns B vitamins, whose presence in breast milk increased following the examined nutritional interventions.
Investigators from the Shanghai Institute found stronger associations in infants born via cesarean delivery, those with mothers aged 30 or younger, and cases of excessive gestational weight gain. However, these interesting differences to be explored further do not allow for the identification of at-risk
categories of children based solely on breast milk in such a small sample.
Fatty acid concentrations in this cohort were lower than those reported in European and North American populations, meaning results cannot be generalized automatically.
Mondosanità confirmed there is no evidence that consuming dairy products hinders infant motor development, and the World Health Organization continues to recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Beyond milk composition, the researchers also evaluated outcomes on infant growth, noting that benefits are not equal for everyone.
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