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Breast milk zinc and copper concentrations in Bangladesh

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Dkaren SIMMER ,
Shameen Ahmed ,
Linda Carlsson  and
R. P. H. Thompson
Dkaren SIMMER
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
Shameen Ahmed
Affiliation:
International Centre for Control of Diarrhoeal Diseases, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Linda Carlsson
Affiliation:
Gastrointestinal Laboratory, St Thomas's Hospital, London SEI 7EH
R. P. H. Thompson
Affiliation:
Gastrointestinal Laboratory, St Thomas's Hospital, London SEI 7EH
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Abstract

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Breast-fed infants in Bangladeshi villages were weighed at 1, 2, 6, 9 and 12 months. The concentrations of zinc and copper in the breast milk were measured and the daily intake of these elements calculated. Breast milk Zn concentration decreased over the year but was comparable with that found in developed countries. The calculated daily intake decreased from 17·7 to 8·0 μmol (10–30% of recommended dietary allowances (RDA); National Academy of Sciences, 1980). Breast milk Cu concentration also fell over the year and was lower than that reported from developed countries. Calculated daily Cu intake was 1·95–2·63 μmol (RDA 7·81–15·63 μmol). Deficiencies of trace elements may therefore be a problem in poorly nourished communities where breast feeding is continued for several years with only small amounts of additional food. Breast milk may not be adequate as the only source of infant nutrition after the first few months of life in Bangladesh.

Keywords

Breast milkCopperZinc
Type
Mineral Nutrition
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 63 , Issue 1 , January 1990 , pp. 91 - 96
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1990

References

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