Skip to main content
Log in

Serial composition of human milk in preterm and term mothers

  • Published:
Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Human milk samples were collected from 86 mothers induced in the study on days 3, 7, 14 and 28 of lactation. The mothers were divided into three groups on the basis of gestation viz. group 1: 37–41 weeks (n=41), group II: 33–36 (n=23) and group III: <33 weeks gestation (n=22). All the samples were analysed for the estimation of fat, lactose and protein. The results obtained from the investigations were statistically analysed. The analysis of the results revealed a lower amount of fat and lactose in preterm milk as compared to term milk (p<0.01). These were found to increase in amount with increasing postnatal age (p<0.05). The protein levels were observed to be significantly higher in preterm than term milk (p<0.01). These were observed to decrease significantly with increase in postnatal age (p<0.01).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Rassin, D.K., Gaull, G.E., Heinonen, K. and Raiha, N.C.R. (1997). Milk protein quantity and quality in low birth weight infant II—Effects of selected aliphatic amino acids in plasma and urine. Pediatrics 59, 407–422.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Schanler, R.J. and Oh, W. (1980) Composition of breast milk obtained from mothers of premature infants as compared to breast milk obtained from donors. J. Pediatr. 96, 679–681.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Pereira, aG.R. and Barbosa, N.M.M. (1986) Controversies in neonatal nutrition. Pediat. Clin. North. Amer. 33, 65–89.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Paul, V.K., Singh, M., Srivastava, L.M., Arora, N.K. and Deorari, A.K. (1997). Macronutrient and energy content of breast milk of mothers delivering prematurely. Indian J. Pediat. 64, 379–382.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Nutrition, Noutritional needs of low birth weight infants (1985). Pediatrcs. 75, 976–986.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Atkinson, S.A., Radde, I.C. and Anderson, G.H. (1983). Macromineral blances in premature infants fed their own mothers milk or formula. J. Pediat. 102, 99–106.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Ozkan, H., Uguz, A. and Harberal, S. (1997) Post natal weight velocity patterns in very low birth weight infants. Indian J. Pediat. 64, 383–388.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Dawodu, A.H. and Osibango, O.D. (1990) Nutrient composition of milk produced by mothers of preterm infants in Nigeria. East Afr. Med. J. 67, 873–877.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Hernall, O., Blackberg, L. and Bermback, S. (1989) Digestion of human milk fat in early infancy. Acta Pediat. Scand. Supple. 351, 57–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Schanler, R.J. (2001) The use of human milk for premature infants. Pediat. Clin. North. Amer. 48, 207–218.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Gross, S.J., Geller, J. and Tomarelli, R.M. (1981). Composition of breast milk from mothers of preterm infants. Pediat. 68, 490–493.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Hibbard, C.M., Broke, O.G., Carter, N.D., Haug, M. and Hazer, G. (1982). Variation in the composition of breast milk during the first five weeks of lactation: implications for feeding of preterm infants. Arch. Dis. Child. 57, 658–662.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Gross, S.J. (1983). Growth and biochemical response of preterm infants fed human milk or modified infant formula. N. Eng. J. Med. 308, 237–239.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Schanler, R.J. (1995). Suitability of human milk for the low birth weight infant. Clin. Perinatol. 22, 207–212.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Schanler, R.J. (1999). Clinical benefits of human milk for premature infants. Nestle Nutrition Workshop Series 43, 95–104.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Kumbhat, M.M., Khanna, S.A., Bijur, A.M. and Jadhav, L.S. (1985). Breast milk composition to gestation. Indian Pediat. 22, 229–233.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Paul, V.K., Singh, M., Srivastva, L.M., Arora, N.K. and Deorari, A.K. (1977). Macronutrient and energy content of breast milk of mothers delivering prematurely. Indian J. Pediat. 64, 379–382.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Narang, A.P.S., Bains, H.S., Kansal, S. et al. Serial composition of human milk in preterm and term mothers. Indian J Clin Biochem 21, 89–94 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02913072

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02913072

Key words

Navigation