title: Zinc concentrations in human milk and infant serum during the first six months of lactation.
abstract: Normal supply of zinc to the newborn via milk is essential for normal development. Using ICP-OES, we analyzed changes in the level of Zn in milk and infant serum in the neonatal period (Day 1 and Day 28 post partum) and at 6 months after delivery, in the cohort of 60 mothers and exclusively breastfed babies. Zn level in the serum showed increase (significant at 6 months) during this period (mg/mL): Day 1: 0.52±0.12; Day 28: 0.59±0.19; 6 months: 0.68±0.28. The concentration of Zn in the milk showed an opposite (decreasing) trend during the follow up: Day 1: 4.70±1.74mg/L; Day 28: 2.65±1.06; 6 months: 0.46±0.36. A significant negative correlation was established between serum and milk [Zn] at day 28 (R=-0.338; p=0.008), whereas a positive correlation was found at 6 months between these parameters (R=0.306; p=0.018). There was no significant correlation between [Zn] in the milk and serum and infants' body mass, mothers' age and mass at delivery. The level of Zn in the milk at 6 months of lactation is not sufficient to meet the recommended values. This implies that in Serbian population, Zn supplementation might be needed in the later phase of lactation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health of Montenegro, Džona Džeksona bb, Podgorica, Montenegro.
authors.forename: Dijana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Djurović
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Subotica Hospital, Izvorska 3, Subotica, Serbia.
authors.forename: Branka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Milisavljević
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health of Montenegro, Džona Džeksona bb, Podgorica, Montenegro.
authors.forename: Boban
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mugoša
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry of the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Njegoševa 1, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Nikoleta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lugonja
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry of the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Njegoševa 1, Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: srdjan@chem.bg.ac.rs.
authors.forename: Srđan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miletić
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry of the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Njegoševa 1, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Snežana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spasić
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vrvić
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007774:Lactation; D008297:Male; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc
keywords: Human milk; ICP-OES; Lactation; Neonate; Serum; Zinc