CHANGES IN THE NUTRIENTS CONTENT OF BREAST MILK OF EGYPTIAN WOMEN DURING EXTNEDED LACTATION

Abstract

Much has been published concerning the changes in the composition of the human milk during early lactation. However, less is known about the effect of prolonged or extended lactation on human milk composition. This work was carried out to study the changes in the concentration of macronutrients and certain minerals as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and zinc in breast milk at stages of lactation beyond 6 months postpartum., Moreover, the influence of feeding frequency on the composition of human milk during extended lactation was also studied. Breast milk samples were collected monthly from three hundred and sixty two lactating mothers attending the Maternal and Child Health Center MCH of Old Cairo d:i,strict. The samples cover' the stage of lactation from 7-24 months .. Data obtained showed the following results: 1- There were no correlation between lactose concentration and duration of lactation. 2- Total lipid content at stage 1 was significantly lower than the value obtained for stages 2, 3, 4 and 5 which were essentially similar. However, regression line describing the relation between total lipid content and months of lactation showed a significant increase in total lipid concentration with the duration of lactation. 3- Results of regression analysis indicated that the protein concentration in breast milk increases slightly but significantly