Ths purpose of this study was to investigate macro-mineral contents in human milk longitudinally from 2 days to 12 weeks postpartum. Milk samples were collected from 34 healthy lactating women. Calcium, Phophorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium
were
analyzed.
Concentrations of the minerals except for magnesium differed significantly within the lactation period. The levels of sodium and potassium declined linearly over the first 12 weeks of lactation. But that of phosphorus increased. Statistically
significant quadratic trends were observed in phosphours and sodium concentrations.
There was no significant correlation between maternal age and mineral concentrations throughout the lactation period. In addition, no significant differences were found between the primipara and the multipara for mineral concentrations in human
milk.
Mineral intake of lactating women did not affect the individual mineral concentration of milk. However, the protein and fat intake of lactating women had a significant correlation with sodium and potassium concentrations. The following four pairs
of
minerals : potassium and calcium, potassium and phosphorus, sodium and magnesium, and calcium and phosphorus showed a positive correlation with each other in human milk.
|