MINERAL AND VITAMIN CONTENT OF MATURE BREAST-MILK OF SAUDI LACTATING MOTHERS

The vitamin and mineral content of mature breast milk from 54 Saudi mo thers was examined. All measurements of vitamins A, E, B, and B-2 in m ilk were determined by HPLC. Minerals were determined by Atomic Absorp tion Spectrophotometry. The mean vitamin A concentration in milk was 8 2.01 +/- 35.9 mu g/100 ml. Milk vitamin E, B-1 and B-2 concentrations were 0.84 +/- 0.70, 0.027 +/- 0.005 and 0.02 +/- 0.003 mg/100 ml respe ctively. Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu and Zn contents (Mean +/- SD) were 487. 5 +/- 62.43, 44.80 +/- 5.43, 145.2 +/- 53.54, 391.5 +/- 83.81, 0.82 +/ - 0.38, 1.32 +/- 0.60 and 1.25 +/- 0.46 mu g/ml respectively. Maternal age had no effect on Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Cu and Zn contents of breast milk. Calcium level in breast milk increased as parity increased. Pota ssium was reduced significantly (P < 0.05) in breast milk of mothers w ith more than 8 children. On the other hand, parity had no significant influence on Mg, Na, Fe, Cu and Zn.