Abstract

BackgroundBreast milk is the best source of nutrition for the newborn infant. However, since all infants cannot be breast-fed, there is a need for background data for setting adequate daily intakes. Previously, concentration data on major essential elements and some toxic elements in breast milk, based on different analytical techniques, have been published. There is no recent study on a large number of metals and trace elements in breast milk, using a sensitive analytical method for determination of low element concentrations.MethodsBreast milk concentrations of 32 metals and elements in early lactation (days 14-21) were determined in a random sample of first time Swedish mothers (n = 60) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS).ResultsThere were small inter-individual concentration variations in the macroelements Ca, K, Mg, P and S, and striking similarities across studies and over time, supporting a tight regulation of these elements in breast milk. Large inter-individual and over time differences were detected for Na concentrations, which may reflect an increase in salt consumption in Swedish women. Large inter-individual differences were also detected for the microelements Co, Cr, Mn and Mo, and the toxic metals As, Cd, Pb, Sb and V. Arsenic and B were positively correlated with fish consumption, indicating influence of maternal intake on breast milk concentrations. Observed differences in breast milk element concentrations across studies and over time could be attributed to the timing of sampling and a general decline over time of lactation (Cu, Fe, Mo, Zn), a possible lack of regulation of certain elements in breast milk (As, B, Co, Mn, Se) and time trends in environmental exposure (Pb), or in some cases to differences in analytical performance (Cr, Fe).ConclusionsThis study provides reliable updated information on a number of metals and elements in breast milk, of which some have not previously been reported.

Highlights

  • Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for the newborn infant

  • The only breast milk data available for comparison was from a study published jointly by WHO and IAEA in 1989, and which is still largely used as background data for setting adequate daily intakes for infants for many elements [4]

  • Analytical methods at the time did not allow for measuring low element concentrations with certainty, and the WHO/IAEA report points out the difficulties with analyzing certain trace elements in biological materials [4]

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Summary

Introduction

Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for the newborn infant. Since all infants cannot be breast-fed, there is a need for background data for setting adequate daily intakes. There is no recent study on a large number of metals and trace elements in breast milk, using a sensitive analytical method for determination of low element concentrations. It was estimated that formula fed Swedish infants receive markedly higher intakes of both essential elements and toxic metals, compared to estimated intakes via breast feeding [3]. The only breast milk data available for comparison was from a study published jointly by WHO and IAEA in 1989, and which is still largely used as background data for setting adequate daily intakes for infants for many elements [4]. Analytical methods at the time did not allow for measuring low element concentrations with certainty, and the WHO/IAEA report points out the difficulties with analyzing certain trace elements in biological materials [4]

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