Traumas experienced during childhood modify the molecular profile of breast milk: this is the unexpected discovery that emerges from a study published in Translational Psychiatrywhich analyzed the milk of 103 Polish mothers, observing whether, with its formulation, the behavior of the children who fed it also changed.
The results confirm what other studies have found in the past, namely that childhood traumas leave their mark and can be transmitted from generation to generation. “Our goal was to examine the role of breast milk in the concept of ‘transgenerational trauma,’” explains Ali Jawaid, one of the authors.
The study. The research involved 103 pairs of mothers and children from Wroclaw, Poland. Participants were examined at birth, and then 5 and 12 months later. At the five-month visit, mothers provided a sample of breast milk and completed questionnaires regarding their child’s temperament.
At the twelve-month visit – not before, to avoid stress that could influence the composition of the milk – the mothers were asked to report any traumatic experiences experienced within the twelve years of life.
MicroRNA and fatty acids. Analyzing the samples, a clear distinction emerged in the molecular composition of the milk between women who had experienced two or more traumatic events and those who had experienced only one or not even one.
In particular, the milk of women with more trauma had higher levels of three specific microRNAs (RNA fragments that regulate gene expression) and lower concentrations of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA, Medium-Chain Fatty Acids).
Correlations only. The researchers then investigated whether the different composition of the milk influenced the infant’s behavior in some way, discovering from what the mothers reported that the children of women who had suffered trauma in childhood actually adopted different behaviors. However, these are mere correlations, and not cause-effect links: the authors themselves are keen to underline this, specifying that the results should not be interpreted as a signal that breastfeeding is harmful. “We need further studies to clarify whether these epigenetic signals present in milk are simply biomarkers, or whether they transmit risk, adaptive capacity or resilience to the next generation,” comments Jawaid.
However, the study highlights that childhood traumas can leave consequences from a biological point of view for many years; for this reason it is important to study the issue more thoroughly and try to understand whether carrying out targeted therapies before or during pregnancy can change the impact on breast milk.
