IS ZINC A 1ST LIMITING NUTRIENT IN HUMAN-MILK

Multiple regression statistics were used to estimate the effects of nu trient concentration in human milk on linear and ponderal growth of br east-fed babies. Eight mothers and their breast-fed infants were follo wed during 6 months and evaluated by anthropometric indicators at inte rvals Of 15/30 days when samples of milk were collected and analyzed f or zinc, total nitrogen, and lipids. Infants grew normally during the study period. The length and weight of infants and concentrations of n utrients (zinc, total nitrogen, and fat) in milk were analyzed by mult iple regression- Concentrations of zinc and nitrogen, but not fat, wer e significant (P=0.0006, P=0.025, P=0.215 respectively) predictors of weight gain in breast-fed infants. Similar results of lesser magnitude (P=0.02, P=0.07 respectively) where also found for linear growth and zinc, and nitrogen. Based on covariance analysis it is speculated that zinc is a first limiting nutrient in breast-milk.