Zinc and copper levels of mature breast milk of healthy lactating mothers within the first six months of lactation

Abstract

The breast milk contents of zinc and copper and the effect of lactation on them in the first six months of lactation were determined in a cross sectional study among 120 healthy lactating mothers attending the infant welfare clinics of Jos University Teaching Hospital Jos . The serum levels of these elements were also assessed during the period. The breast milk levels of zinc declined from 1.98ug/ml at one month to 0.60ug/ml at 6 months while copper levels declined from 0.28ug/ml to 0.13ug/ml during the same period. The serum levels of these elements remained fairly constant during the study period in spite of the decreasing breast milk values.


Key Words: Breast milk, Progression of lactation, Zinc levels, Copper levels


Journal of Biomedical Investigation 2004;2(1): 10-16