Human milk: Difference in nitrogen concentration in milk from mothers of term and premature infants

Abstract

A study was carried out measuring the nitrogen concentration of milk in mothers of PT (premature) infants and mother of FT (fullterm) infants. Linear regression analysis of the data demonstrated that nitrogen concentration decreased significantly during the time of lactation at a similar rate in both groups. The PT mothers milk had however a significantly higher nitrogen concentration than the FT mothers milk at the start of lactation. The volume of milk produced was similar for both groups of mothers increasing in an individual mother by approximately 200 ml from week 1 to week 4. This information on volume of milk produced proves that premature delivery does not affect the ability to lactate. The observed differences in nitrogen concentration were not a function of differences in daily milk volume production or collection day.