COPPER AND ZINC CONTENT IN HUMAN-MILK IN CROATIA

The aim of this paper was to research whether there had been any stati stically significant difference in the content of Cu and Zn in human m ilk depending on the social status of women (refugee and non-refugee), age, number of deliveries, days after delivery, weight gained by nurs ing women and smoking habits, as well as whether the infants had recei ved sufficient quantities of these elements. The elements were determi ned by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The samples were collecte d in the Clinical Hospital Osijek and Refugee Centre Nabrde, near Osij ek, Eastern Croatia. The Cu in human milk ranged from 0.27 mg/l to 1.3 5 mg/l, and Zn from 0.62 mg/l to 15.0 mg/l. The mean levels of Cu and Zn for each group, formed according to the results of the questionnair e are presented too. Calculated daily dietary intake of these elements accords with the RDA.