VITAMIN-A CONCENTRATION IN MATERNAL MILK - THE EFFECT OF INTAKE AND SERUM LEVELS OF VITAMIN-A DURING THE 3RD-TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY

BACKGROUND: Breast fed newborns depend on maternal milk for their supp ly of vitamin A. A deficiency of this vitamin is associated with incre ased morbidity and mortality. The present study investigates whether t he nutritional status of the mother during pregnancy conditions vitami n A levels in maternal milk. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: 57 healthy, lactatin g mothers aged between 18 and 35 were studied. Vitamin A intake during the third trimester of pregnancy was recorded using a 5 day dietary r ecord (including a Sunday) and by registering nutrients supplied by su pplements. Vitamin A levels in maternal serum during this stage of pre gnancy and in transition milk (days 13-14 of lactation) and mature mil k (day 40 of lactation) were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The effect of vitamin A intake during pregnan cy on maternal milk composition was particularly noticeable in mothers with intakes below recommended values. These subjects showed lower vi tamin A concentrations in transition (60.9 mu g/dl) and mature milk (4 7.2 mu g/dl) than those with adequate intakes of this Vitamin (90.8 mu g/dl and 79.2 mu g/dl, respectively). Subjects with serum vitamin A c oncentrations below 30 mu g/dl (22.8%) during the third trimester of p regnancy also showed lower levels of the vitamin in mature milk (50 mu g/dl) compared with those with higher serum levels (74.8 mu g/dl). CO NCLUSIONS: Diet and the nutritional status of vitamin A during pregnan cy seem to condition concentrations of this vitamin in maternal milk. This, in turn, will affect the intake of vitamin A by the newborn. Giv en that deficiencies were detected both in serum and in maternal milk, the monitorization of the vitamin A levels in pregnant women is recom mendable and if necessary, would be improved.