Trace element composition of plasma and breast milk of well-nourished women

A wide variation in the composition of breast milk has been reported from various countries. This study was undertaken to determine the trace element content of breast milk and plasma in lactating women. Mothers of children 4 weeks to 80 weeks in age, were studied. Blood and breast milk from the mothers were analysed for trace element content. Prepared samples were analysed using ICP-MS. 209 women agreed to take part in the study, 68 of whom were from the UAE and 124 were other nationalities (17 did not fill the this part of the questionnaire). Ninety-seven infants were male. The concentration of different trace elements in blood and breast milk were little different between women from the UAE and those from outside the UAE. Molybenum, chromium and arsenic significantly increased with increasing age of the infant, while manganese, copper and zinc significantly decreased with increasing age of the infant. The trace element concentrations of breast milk and maternal blood were comparable to published values. Normal values for plasma and breast milk trace metal concentrations have been obtained for UAE women.