Open AccessDocosahexaenoic Acid in Mature Breast Milk of Low‐income Mothers
Author(s) -
Visentin Silvana,
Malpeli Agustina,
Fasano Victoria,
Falivene Mariana,
Malizia Betiana E.,
González Horacio F.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.206
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1536-4801
pISSN - 0277-2116
DOI - 10.1097/mpg.0000000000002284
Subject(s) - medicine , docosahexaenoic acid , breast milk , breast feeding , low income , obstetrics , food science , pediatrics , fatty acid , biochemistry , polyunsaturated fatty acid , socioeconomics , chemistry , sociology
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is among the main components of synaptosomal membranes and myelin sheaths. Because DHA is essential for child neurodevelopment, breast milk DHA levels should be improved by optimizing maternal nutrition. We determined DHA percentage levels in breast milk of low‐income mothers receiving care at the public healthcare sector. We performed a descriptive, cross‐sectional study in breast milk samples from 39 exclusively breast‐feeding adult mothers with normal fetal and neonatal history. Samples were collected 90 ± 7 days after delivery. Breast milk fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. The cut‐off value of DHA was 0.3% of total fatty acids in milk according to recommendations. Median DHA in milk was 0.14% (0.12–0.21). Breast milk DHA levels were lower than the minimum recommended in 92% of samples. The analysis of breast milk samples from low‐income exclusively breast‐feeding mothers showed that they did not reach the minimum recommended DHA percentage.