Analysis of lipid and calories in 305 breast milk samples from neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the lipid and calorie content in breast milk samples from neonatal intensive care unit of the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, and to explore the correlation between the lipid and calorie content of breast milk and perinatal factors, so as to provide ideas and methods for individualized feeding of neonates. Methods A total of 305 breast milk samples from 183 neonatal mothers in Fifth Me-dical Center of Chinese People′s Liberation Army were tested for fat and calorie by adopting Creamatocrit dynamic breast milk analyzer. All breast milk samples were sent to the breast milk bank of neonatal intensive care unit within 24 hours after collection and refrigeration. Breast milk samples were rewarmed at 37 ℃ for 30 minutes and then determined by the same nurses in the same environment from 1000 to 1100 Am daily. SPSS 17.0 was used for statistical analysis and P<0.05 was used for statistical analysis. Results The fat content of 305 breast milk samples from 183 infants was (45.65±26.76) g/L and the caloric content was(762.61±206.64) kcal/L(1 kcal=4.184 kJ). There was no significant difference between colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk in terms of fat (F=2.053, P=0.130) and calorie(F=0.830, P=0.437)content.There was no significant difference in colostrum (fat: F=1.119, P=0.331, calorie: F=2.928, P=0.058), transitional milk (fat: F=0.530, P=0.590, calorie: F=1.377, P=0.257), and mature milk (fat: F=0.612, P=0.545, calorie: F=1.101, P=0.337) in terms of fat content and calorie content among different gestational weeks newborns.Multiple linear regression analysis showed that mothers with pregnancy complications were important factors affecting breast milk lipid and calorie content.Mothers with hypertension during pregnancy are important factors affecting the lipid content of mature milk. Conclusions Breast milk calorie content may be higher than the industry-standard 670 kcal/L, and Creamatocrit dynamic breast milk analyzer can be used to determine the content of breast milk calories and fat, which can be more accurate assessment of neonatal calories and fat intake.Whether the mother is complicated with complications or not during pregnancy is an important factor affecting the colostrum fat and caloric content. Key words: Breast milk; Lipids; Calories; Composition analysis