title: Fat-soluble vitamins in human lactation.
abstract: Lactation has three distinct phases: colostrum, transition, and mature, with the quantity of fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids tending to decline while the total fat content increases. The number of deliveries seems to be directly related to higher concentrations of beta-carotene and vitamin E in colostrum. Little is known about vitamin quantities during the other phases. In the present study, vitamin A and E concentrations during different phases of lactation were measured in primiparous and multiparous mothers to analyze the variation and suitability for the diet of a breastfed child. Phase of lactation and number of deliveries were highly significant for log mean vitamin A while only one phase showed significance for log mean vitamin E. There was a sharp decline in the levels of vitamin A and E in the course of the initial phase of lactation. The variability between measurements declined as colostrum transitioned to mature milk. There were significant measurable inter-group differences in retinol levels in milk obtained during early lactation. Vitamin A and E content can reach 2.5 and 1.4 times of levels recommended intake, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Paixão
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferraz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003126:Colostrum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010298:Parity / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000032:analysis*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E