Iron, Zinc and Copper Concentrations in Human Milk, Serum and Hair of Neonates

Kim, Byung Ju

Abstract

Human milk is believed to be the most nearly complete and perfect food for the human infant. The mineral content of human milk is low but its bioavailability is generally higher than that of infant formulas. Iron, Zinc and copper are essential trace elements, they constitute enzymes and their activators and play an important role in human growth, development and normal metabolism. Iron, Zinc and copper levels in human milk, serum and hair of neonates were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results were as follows: 1) Iron concentration was 58.4+/-14 microgram/dL in colostrum, 53.9+/-10 microgram/dL in early transitional milk, 45.8+/-21 microgram/dL in late transitional milk, 36.0+/-13 microgram/dL in earl mature milk, 32.0+/-16 microgram/dL in late mature milk, 175.24+/-25.68 microgram/dL in serum of neonates and 31.31+/-71.07 microgram/gm in hair of neonates. 2) Zinc concentration was 7.45+/-1.20 mg/L in colostrum, 6.43+/-1.89 mg/L in early transitional milk, 4.56+/-1.55 mg/L in late transitional milk, 4.22+/-1.11 mg/L in early mature milk, 3.12+/-1.34 mg/L in late mature milk, 84.1+/-24.2 microgram/dL in serum of neonates and 28.92+/-23.37 microgram/gm in hair of neonates. 3) Copper concentration was 0.62+/-0.43 mg/L in colostrum, 0.59+/-0.32 mg/L in early transitional milk, 0.64+/-0.17 mg/L in late transitional milk, 0.48+/-0.13 mg/L in early mature milk, 0.46+/-0.15 mg/L in late mature milk, 50.30+/-12.5 microgram/dL in serum of neonates and 5.15+/-6.26 microgram/gm in hair of neonates.