Pregnancy and lactation: some nutritional aspects
Prema, K.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 68(Suppl): 70-79
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 744648 Document Number: 438688
The author reviews some of the studies carried out at the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad during the last 10 yr. Studies on lactation include investigations into the importance of trace elements in human milk; preliminary results suggest that Cu and Zn intakes by fully breast-fed infants are below the recommended allowances. In studies on the intestinal absorption of immunoglobulins in infants, it was shown that IgG, IgA and IgM are absorbed intact; the importance of colostrum as a source of antibodies is discussed. Investigations into breast feeding practices of 1079 urban low-income mothers indicated an av. lactation length of 19.8 months with 14.5% of mothers continuing to lactate until their next delivery. Duration of breast feeding decreased with increase in socio-economic status. Interval between pregnancies averaged 23.9 months in lactating women vs. 16.8 months in non-lactating women. Only 7.5% of women conceived during lactational amenorrhoea. The role of lactation in contraception is discussed.