08 Apr 2019 --- Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) have been identified in amniotic fluid for the first time, meaning that fetuses are exposed to the compounds in utero. Previous research had found HMOs in maternal urine and blood during pregnancy, but these new findings – published in Frontiers in Pediatrics – open up an entirely new field of research, experts note. In expanding the focus beyond postnatal applications, R&D opportunities are presented for the infant formula market. HMOs may hold potential for being added to post-discharge formulas for infants born prematurely, for example.
