THE CONTENTS OF VITAMIN-B-1, VITAMIN-B-2, VITAMIN-A, AND VITAMIN-E ASWELL AS BETA-CAROTENE IN TRANSITIONAL HUMAN-MILK AND COMPARATIVE EXAMINATIONS WITH MATERNAL BLOOD AND CORD-BLOOD

The contents of the vitamins B-1 (27 ng/ml), B-2 (57 ng/ml), A (1.3 mu g/ml), and E (9.7 mu g/ml) as well as beta-carotene (0.2 mu g/ml) in transitional human milk were determined for up to 35 women aged betwee n 19 and 31 years. Additionally, the vitamin content in maternal and c ord plasma as well as the erythrocytic transketolase-and glutathion-re ductase activities of the water soluble vitamins were measured. Dietar y recalls were evaluated for the nutritional intake of vitamins. Conce rning the fat soluble vitamins, the breast fed newborns received the r ecommended amounts of the German Society of Nutrition (DGE) for this g roup. In contrast to this, the supply of the water soluble vitamins (B -1: 13.5 mu g/500 ml; B-2: 28.5 mu g/500 ml) attained only 5 to 10 % o f the recommendations for newborns during the first two weeks after pa rturition with breast feeding. Vitamin content of maternal plasma (B-1 : 6.1 +/- 2.8 ng/ml) and erythrocytic enzyme activities (alpha(ETK): 0 .86-1.62; alpha(EGR): 1.08-1.75) indicated a low or sufficient intake, while the values in cord blood (B-1: 19.8 +/- 6.5 ng/ml; alpha(ETK): 0.62-1.62; alpha(EGR): 1.01-1.47) were in accordance with a satisfacto ry supply.