Protein profiles in breast milk from mothers delivering term and preterm babies

During the last few years, advances in the care of low-birth-weight and pre term. neonates has stimulated research on the best dietetic program to impr ove survival and to reduce handicap incidence. At present, fortification of human milk with artificial formulas is the most usual dietetic solution. A s yet, however, little is known about the composition of milk from mothers giving birth prematurely. The aim of this study was the quantification of d ifferent proteins in human milk during the lactation period. By use of an e lectrophoretic method, lactoferrin (LF), alpha-lactalbumin, beta-casein, an d lysozyme concentrations were measured in milk from mothers delivering nor mally (TM) or prematurely (PM). LF concentration in from TM presented highe r values in the very first days and a fast: decrease to d 10. After d 10, t he concentration reached a plateau. in milk from PM, the LF concentration i n the first days was lower than for TM. Similar profiles of alpha-lactalbum in, beta-casein, and lysozyme concentrations were found in milk from TM and PM. A general higher variability in PM samples was observed both between d ifferent mothers and for the same woman during the lactation period. Lactat ion profiles for four human milk proteins are described here. No significan t difference wits observed (apart from LF in the Very first days) between p reterm and term milk samples, confirming the unsuitability of unfortified b reast milk for preterm neonates.