FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF COLOSTRUM AND MATURE HUMAN MILK IN HUNGARY

Abstract

14 Fatty acid (FA) composition of human milk (HM) may differ considerably between populations. There were no up-to-date data on FA composition of HM in Hungary. Subjects and methods: FA composition of colostrum (n = 18, one hind milk sample on day 5 post partum) and mature HM [n = 15, pooled 24-h collection at median age of 4 (range: 1 to 14) months repeated twice with 2 weeks interval] samples was analysed with high-resolution capillary gas liquid chromatography. Fat contents were measured gravimetrically. Results: Contributions of linoleic (C18:2ω-6) and α-linolenic (C18:3ω-3) acids were significantly lower, whereas those of arachidonic (C20:4ω-6) and docosahexaenoic (C22:6ω-3) acids were significantly higher in colostrum than in mature HM (table). Neither fat contents [4.7 (0.9) and 4.8 (1.0) g/L, median (IQR)] nor FA compositions (table) differed between 24-h pooled mature HM samples obtained with two weeks interval. While C18:2ω-6, C20:4ω-6, and C18:3ω-3 values were similar to those reported for other populations, the contribution of C22:6ω-3 to FA composition of Hungarian mature HM samples was considerably lower than the values generally considered as characteristic to mature HM (Koletzko et al., J Pediatr 120: S62, 1992 ). In colostrum, significant and positive correlations were found between C18:2ω-6 and C20:4ω-6 (r = 0.71, P = 0.001), between C18:3ω-3 and C22:6ω-3 (r = 0.59, P = 0.01), and between C20:4ω-6 and C22:6ω-3 (r = 0.74, P < 0.001). No such correlations were seen in mature HM (-0.20 < r < 0.39, 0.18 < P < 0.89).Table: Fatty acid composition of colostrum (n=18) and 24-h pooled mature human milk measured twice with 2 weeks interval in the same women (n=15) [% wt/wt, median (IQR),a,b = P < 0.01,c,d = P < 0.001]Conclusion: Contribution of docosahexaenoic acid to the fatty acid composition of mature human milk is unexpectedly low in Hungary.