Mineral and trace element concentrations in breast milk and the serum of mother and child on the 1ST and the 4TH months of lactation

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to measure mineral and trace element [MTE] concentrations [C] in the breast milk [BM] of Turkish mothers and compare them to similar research in other countries. Thirty-five mothers and their exclusively breast-fed babies were studied during the 1^st and 4^th months of lactation. Milk samples were obtained before the first feeding in the morning and at least three hours after the last feeding of the baby. A simultaneous venous blood sample was drawn from the mother and the baby. Iron, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium, and potassium concentrations were measured in all samples with the aid of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Twenty-seven of the 35 mothers came for follow-up evaluation in the 4^th month. The Ca/P ratio in BM was significantly higher at 4 months (2.07±1.01) than that at 1 month (1.53±0.63) (p<0.05). There was no correlation for any MTE C between BM, maternal serum [MS], and baby serum [BS]. Additionally, no significant difference between the 1^st and 4^th month MTE Cs in BM or MS was detected. In contrast, 30% of the babies acquired iron-deficiency anemia at 4 months of age (p<0.0001). The comparison of MTE Cs in BM of Turkish mothers with those of Guatemala, Hungary, Nigeria, Philippines, Sweden, and Zaire revealed a higher C of Ca, P, and Na, but lower C of Fe and Mg in Turkish BM. We conclude that the MTE Cs in BM, MS, and BS are independent from each other and MTE intake of the babies seems to be adequate except for iron.