Diurnal variations in qualitative composition of breast milk in women with iron deficiency

Abstract

Biorhythms of iron metabolism in healthy women and patients with iron deficiency were studied during lactation. Healthy nursing women were characterized by circadian variations in the concentrations of iron, α-tocopherol, and malonic dialdehyde in breast milk. Diurnal variations in iron concentration, antioxidant potential, and lipid peroxidation in breast milk depended on iron metabolism in nursing women. Iron deficiency was accompanied by a decrease in the concentrations of α-tocopherol and iron, increase in malonic dialdehyde content, and suppression of circadian variations in these parameters in breast milk. © 2005 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.