Nutr Res Pract.  2015 Aug;9(4):433-438. 10.4162/nrp.2015.9.4.433.

Macronutrient composition of human milk from Korean mothers of full term infants born at 37-42 gestational weeks

• Chang N
• Jung JA
• Kim H
• Jo A
• Kang S
• Lee SW
• Yi H
• Kim J
• Yim JG
• Jung BM

• KMID: 2313862
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2015.9.4.433

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Breast milk is the best available food for optimum growth and development of infants and the breastfeeding rate is increasing in Korea. The purpose of this study is to measure the concentrations of macronutrients and to evaluate their changes according to lactation period in breast milk from lactating Korean women.
SUBJECTS/METHODS
Milk samples were obtained from 2,632 healthy lactating women (mean age; 32.0 +/- 3.3 years), where the lactating period was up to a period of 8 months, who also volunteered to participate in the Human Milk Macronutrient Analysis Research. Lactose, protein, fat and water content in the breast milk samples were analyzed with infrared spectrometry using MilkoScan FT-2.
RESULTS
The mean macronutrient composition per 100 mL of mature breast milk was 7.1 g for lactose, 1.4 g for protein and 3.0 g for fat, and energy content was 61.1 kcal. The protein concentration was significantly lower in milk samples at 1-2 weeks (2.0 g/dL) to 2-3 months (1.4 g/dL) than those at 0-1 week (2.2 g/dL), but it was similar among samples from 3-4 months to 7-8 months (1.3 g/dL). Mean lipid levels varied among different lactational period groups (2.7-3.2 g/dL), but presented no significant difference. Lactose concentration in the milk samples did not differ with lactation period. Maternal body mass index was positively related to protein and lipid breast milk contents, but was negatively related to lactose content. General linear models examining the associations between maternal variables and milk macronutrient content revealed that lactation period had a major impact on protein and lipid, but not on lactose content in breast milk.
CONCLUSIONS
These results warrant future studies to explore factors that may be associated with changes in macronutrient content in human milk.

Keyword

Breast milk; macronutrient; lactation period; BMI

MeSH Terms

Body Mass Index
Breast Feeding
Female
Growth and Development
Humans
Infant*
Korea
Lactation
Lactose
Linear Models
Milk
Milk, Human*
Mothers*
Spectrum Analysis
Water
Lactose
Water