A preliminary study on essential minerals in human milk: Association with dietary habits

Abstract

Human milk provides infant with the required nutrients for growth and development. The aim of preliminary study was to determine macro-and micronutrients content in mature human milk among lactating women residing in Latvia and dietary habits affecting it. The study was carried out from November 2016 to February 2017. In total, 24 pooled diurnal milk samples were collected from mothers whose infants had reached the age of at least two months. Personal information of each participant was recorded, including mother's age, weight and height parameters, sex and age of an infant, parity, breastfeeding pattern, milk expression method used for sampling. Eating habits were obtained using Monthly Food Frequency Questionnaire. Analysed elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS Agilent 7700x, Japan). Concentrations ranged from 227.52 to 398.34 mg L-1 for calcium, 58.56-256.38 mg L-1 for sodium, 445.33-736.71 mg L-1 for potassium, 25.73-49.52 mg L-1 for magnesium, till 3.17 mg L-1 for iron, 0.28-2.77 mg L-1 for zinc, 0.06-0.43 mg L-1 for copper, 2.00-44.00 μg L-1 for manganese, 1.00-10.00 μg L-1 for chrome which is comparable to data obtained from other studies although chrome and manganese concentration was even higher than observed in literature. Cobalt and selenium content was below detection limit. Zinc content in human milk negatively correlated with baby's age (p < 0.05). The content of majority of essential minerals in human milk was affected by mother's dietary habits; however, more samples need to be analysed for representative conclusions.