Trace elements in thai breast milk and infant formulas

Abstract

A total of 150 breast milk samples obtained from Thai mothers of preterm and full-term infants, during the 7th to 28th day of lactation, and 60 samples of infant formulas obtained from local markets were analyzed for zinc, copper and chromium concentrations using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean zinc concentration of breast milk and infant formulas were 1.9 mg/l and 2.9 mg/l respectively. The copper concentrations in breast milk and infant formulas were approximately 0.4 mg/l. The chromium concentrations were 0.08 mg/l and 0.07 mg/l from milk of mothers of full-term and preterm infants respectively, while the chromium concentration of infant formulas was only 0.05 mg/l. This study indicates that the zinc and copper content of the infant formulas are not sufficient as daily requirement for the infant's growth. © 1985 Oxford University Press.