Human Milk Oligosaccharides - Benefits for the Breastfed Infant and Beyond

Lars Bode opens the presentation by explaining that HMOs are the third most abundant component of human milk – these macromolecules are only just beginning to be understood.  He explains the make-up of HMOs, noting that every mother makes a distinct set of HMOs in distinct concentrations, almost like a thumbprint. 

He looks at which maternal factors drive variation in HMO composition, citing research from Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas, which looked at genetics, diet, exercise, lifestyle and maternal health.  The presentation details how HMOs, in different ways, can affect infant immediate and long-term health and development.