Iron, zinc, folate and vitamin B12 nutritional status and milk composition of low-income Brazilian mothers
Donangelo, C.M.; Trugo, N.M.; Koury, J.C.; Barreto Silva, M.I.; Freitas, L.A.; Feldheim, W.; Barth, C.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 43(4): 253-266
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0954-3007 PMID: 2661218 Document Number: 370547
The study was made to assess the nutritional state of low-income Brazilian mothers, who were given supplementary iron and vitamin B-12 during pregnancy, in terms of Fe, zinc, folate and vitamin B-12 in different stages of lactation and to determine the influence of the maternal nutritional state on milk composition. The effect of folate supplementation during pregnancy on folate status of the nursing mothers and milk composition was studied. The effect of partial weaning on maternal status and milk composition was also studied. In general, the nutritional state of Fe, Zn, folate and vitamin B-12 of the mothers seemed adequate. However, some of the mothers had indices of status lower than normal limits for non-pregnant women. These values, particularly after 30 days post partum, indicate that these mothers might be at nutritional risk and that the nutrient supplementation received during pregnancy was insufficient to meet demands. There was an increase with the stage of lactation for haematocrit, serum vitamin B-12, Zn and albumin, milk folate and saturation of its binding protein, but there was a decrease for milk protein, total and whey-bound Fe and Zn, and lactoferrin. Mothers who took folate supplements during pregnancy had higher serum folate values immediately after birth than those not taking the supplements but there were no differences at later stages of lactation. Milk composition was not affected. Partial weaning did not affect the maternal nutritional state or the milk composition except for Fe which was higher in milk from mothers who were partly breast-feeding. At each stage of lactation studied, there was no correlation between maternal nutritional indices of status and the corresponding milk components. In general, the nutritional status of iron, zinc, folate and vitamin B12 in the 83 nursing mothers attending a baby clinic in Rio de Janeiro was adequate, but the low values recorded for some indicate that their nutrient supplementation received during pregnancy was insufficient.Carolyn A. Brown.