Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Short Communications: Nutrition

Docosahexaenoic Acid in Mature Breast Milk of Low-income Mothers

Corresponding Author

Silvana Visentin

[email protected]

IDIP – Instituto de Desarrollo e Investigaciones Pediátricas “Prof. Dr. Fernando E. Viteri”, Hospital de Niños “Sor María Ludovica” de La Plata, Ministerio de Salud/Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Silvana Visentin, Biochemist, IDIP – Instituto de Desarrollo e Investigaciones Pediátricas “Prof. Dr. Fernando E. Viteri”, Hospital de Niños “Sor María Ludovica” de La Plata, Calle 63 No 1069, 1900 La Plata, Argentina (e-mail: [email protected]).Search for more papers by this author

Agustina Malpeli,

Agustina Malpeli

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Victoria Fasano,

Victoria Fasano

Departamento de Matemática, Facultad Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina

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Mariana Falivene,

Mariana Falivene

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Betiana E. Malizia,

Betiana E. Malizia

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Horacio F. González,

Horacio F. González

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Silvana Visentin,

Corresponding Author

Silvana Visentin

[email protected]

Agustina Malpeli,

Agustina Malpeli

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Victoria Fasano,

Victoria Fasano

Departamento de Matemática, Facultad Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina

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Mariana Falivene,

Mariana Falivene

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Betiana E. Malizia,

Betiana E. Malizia

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Horacio F. González,

Horacio F. González

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First published: 01 May 2019

https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000002284

Citations: 5

This study received funding from IDIP.

The authors report no conflicts of interests.

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ABSTRACT

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is among the main components of synaptosomal membranes and myelin sheaths. Because DHA is essential for child neurodevelopment, breast milk DHA levels should be improved by optimizing maternal nutrition. We determined DHA percentage levels in breast milk of low-income mothers receiving care at the public healthcare sector. We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional study in breast milk samples from 39 exclusively breast-feeding adult mothers with normal fetal and neonatal history. Samples were collected 90 ± 7 days after delivery. Breast milk fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. The cut-off value of DHA was 0.3% of total fatty acids in milk according to recommendations. Median DHA in milk was 0.14% (0.12–0.21). Breast milk DHA levels were lower than the minimum recommended in 92% of samples. The analysis of breast milk samples from low-income exclusively breast-feeding mothers showed that they did not reach the minimum recommended DHA percentage.

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Volume68, Issue5

May 2019

Pages 738-741

Docosahexaenoic Acid in Mature Breast Milk of Low-income Mothers

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Docosahexaenoic Acid in Mature Breast Milk of Low-income Mothers

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