title: Nutritional status of lactating mothers and their breast milk concentration of iron, zinc and copper in rural Vietnam.
abstract: Breast milk is considered to be the best nutrient source for infants. However, nutritional compositions of breast milk in developing countries, especially among malnourished women, have not been fully investigated. This study aimed to assess nutritional status and nutrient composition of breast milk in lactating mothers in rural Vietnam. Sixty breastfeeding mothers at 6 to 12 mo postpartum, free from any medical disorder and/or medication, and not pregnant were randomly selected in Yen The, Bac Giang, Vietnam. Their nutritional status, breast milk concentration and dietary intakes were assessed. Among the study participants, anemia (39.0%) and low serum zinc concentration (55.4%) were frequently observed. Dietary assessment revealed lower intakes of iron (10.2+/-2.5 mg/d) and zinc (10.4+/-2.2 mg/d) than estimated requirements. The breast milk concentration of iron, zinc and copper was 0.43+/-0.15 mg/L, 0.56 (0.37, 0.82) mg/L and 0.19+/-0.05 mg/L, respectively. The breast milk concentration of iron, zinc and copper was not correlated to the serum concentration or dietary intakes. In conclusion, we uncovered a high prevalence of anemia and zinc deficiency in lactating mothers in rural Vietnam. The findings demonstrate a low breast milk zinc concentration among the participants, but need further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Ochanomizu University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Masayo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakamori
authors.forename: Nguyen Xuan
authors.initials: NX
authors.lastname: Ninh
authors.forename: Haruhiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Isomura
authors.forename: Nobuo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yoshiike
authors.forename: Vu Thi Thu
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Hien
authors.forename: Bui Thi
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Nhug
authors.forename: Nguyen Van
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Nhien
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakano
authors.forename: Nguyen Cong
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D007774:Lactation; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012424:Rural Population; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron; D015032:Zinc