{
  "id": 18528888,
  "title": "Breast milk fatty acids linked to infant motor development",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/breast-milk-fatty-acids-linked-to-infant-motor-development",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-06T16:40:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-11-breast-fatty-acids-linked-infant.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study published in the European Journal of Nutrition has found a link between certain fatty acids found in breast milk and infant motor development. The research, led by professor Gao Ying from the Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, examined 120 mother-infant pairs in the Beijing area. The team analyzed breast milk samples at 42 days and 8 months postpartum, measuring the levels of odd-chain fatty acids (OBCFAs) such as C15:0, C17:0, iso-C15:0, and anteiso-C15:0. These fatty acids, primarily found in dairy products, ruminant meat, and fermented plant-based foods, are believed to be indicators of dairy intake. The study revealed that higher levels of C15:0, C17:0, and total OBCFAs in breast milk were associated with lower motor development scores in infants at 8 months of age, even after accounting for various potential confounding factors. This association was more pronounced in infants delivered by cesarean section, those born to younger mothers (30 years or younger), and those whose mothers experienced excessive gestational weight gain. The researchers suggest that these findings may be due to the influence of OBCFAs on the composition of infants' gut microbiota, which could affect early brain development via the microbiota-gut-brain axis during a critical period of development. It is worth noting that the OBCFA levels in the mothers' breast milk were lower than those reported in European and American populations, indicating that fermented plant-based foods might be a significant dietary source of these fatty acids in the Chinese population. While the study provides valuable insights, it is essential to note that the observed associations do not prove causation and require further investigation in larger, longer-term observational studies to validate the findings and elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms.",
  "summary": "A new study has found an association between odd- and branched-chain fatty acid (OBCFA) levels in breast milk and infant motor development, providing new population-based evidence for research on early-life nutrition and neurodevelopment.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}