Study of Colostrum Composition in Lactating Women with Anemia

Abstract

Background: Colostrum is a pre-milk substance, thick lemon yellow coloured viscous mammary secretion, that is produced immediately after birth, during the first 1-5days of the lactation. Pregnancy induced Anaemia (PIA) is the most common complication of pregnancy in the India. PIA is defined as blood hemoglobin level of less than 11 gm % (WHO). In India, ICMR defines anaemia as hemoglobin less than 10 gm %. it is commonly due to maternal malnutrition resulting in deficiencies of iron, anti anemic factors, folic acid and vitamin B12. Maternal nutritional status has been found to influence the composition of milk, leading to conditions which alters the total proteins, calcium and IgA concentration of the colostrum. Aim and. Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare the composition of following biochemical parameters (total proteins, triglycerides, immunoglobulin A, lactose and calcium) in colostrum of normal pregnancy and pregnancy with anaemia patients, in primigravida, to find out whether there are any significant changes. Materials and Methods: We included a total of 60 lactating women from the postnatal wards of Owaisi hospital /princess Esra hospital, Hyderabad after obtaining their consent. Out of which 30 were Controls (Group A) and 30 lactating anemic women (Group B). Approximately 5ml of colostrum was collected from a single breast within 24 hours of delivery from each subject into sterile storage vials and stored at –20°C and were analyzed within two weeks. The following parameters were analyzed in each sample of colostrum, total proteins, triglycerides, Ig A, lactose and calcium.Statistical Analysis: The data was analysed using SPSS software version 17.0 descriptive results are expressed as mean and SD of various parameters in both the groups. p value less than 0.05 was considered as significant and value above 0.05 was considered as non-significant.Discussion & Conclusion: Colostrum is a dynamic, multi-faceted fluid containing nutrients and bioactive factors needed for infant health and development. Nevertheless, knowledge of human milk composition is increasing, leading to greater understanding of the role of human milk in infant health and development, which can be extremely beneficial for preventive and protective aspects of peadiatrics and neonatology.Human milk also contains many hundreds to thousands of distinct bioactive molecules that protect against infection and inflammation and contribute to immune maturation, organ development, and healthy microbial colonization. Therefore, neonates who are effected and deprived of essential components of colostrum due to anaemia during pregnancy should be provided with the necessary supplements and protection from infections.