Near-infrared reflectance analysis to evaluate the nitrogen and fat content of human milk in neonatal intensive care units.
OBJECTIVE
To validate near-infrared reflectance analysis (NIRA) as a fast, reliable and suitable method for routine evaluation of human milk's nitrogen and fat content.


METHODS
One neonatal intensive care unit.


METHODS
124 samples of expressed human milk (55 from preterm mothers and 69 from term mothers).


METHODS
Measurement of nitrogen and fat content by NIRA and traditional methods (Gerber method for fat and Kjeldahl method for nitrogen).


METHODS
Agreement between NIRA and traditional methods. Variability in fat and nitrogen content of human milk.


RESULTS
A strong agreement was found between the results of traditional methods and NIRA for both fat and nitrogen content (expressed as g/100 g of milk) in term (mean fat content: NIRA = 2.76; Gerber = 2.76; mean nitrogen content: NIRA = 1.88; Kjeldahl = 1.92) and preterm (mean fat content: NIRA = 3.56; Gerber = 3.52; mean nitrogen content: NIRA = 1.91; Kjeldahl = 1.89) mothers' milk. Nitrogen content of the milk samples, measured by NIRA, ranged from 1.18 g/100 g to 2.71 g/100 g of milk in preterm milk and from 1.48 g/100 g to 2.47 g/100 g in term milk; fat content ranged from 1.27 g/100 g to 6.23 g/100 g of milk in preterm milk and from 1.01 g/100 g to 6.01 g/100 g of milk in term milk.


CONCLUSIONS
NIRA can be used as a quick and reliable tool for routine monitoring of macronutrient content of human milk and for devising individualised human milk fortification regimens in the feeding of very premature infants.
Corvaglia
L
L
Istituto Clinico di Pediatria Preventiva e Neonatologia, Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, Università di Bologna, Via Massarenti 11-40138 Bologna, Italy. luigi.corvaglia@unibo.it
Battistini
B
B
Paoletti
V
V
Aceti
A
A
Capretti
M G
MG
Faldella
G
G
D001942:Breast Feeding; D005223:Fats / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D041943:Infant Formula; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D009035:Mothers; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005223:Fats; D009584:Nitrogen