Human milk fatty acid profile across lactational stages after term and preterm delivery: A pooled data analysis

•Interstudy variation were found for some, but remarkably not for all, fatty acids.•Distinct patterns of fluctuations in fatty acid levels were apparent over the course of the 3 lactational stages.•Several LCPUFAs, including ARA and DHA, seemed to decrease over the course of lactation.•The most abundant fatty acids (LA, ALA, palmitic and oleic acid) remained stable, while short- and medium-chain FAs increased.•These patterns seem to be comparable between term and preterm milk.