Dietary Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in a Midwestern donor milk population

Abstract

BackgroundDHA is an important fatty acid for neurodevelopment and immune homeostasis in the neonate. In our first study we found low levels of DHA in donor milk (0.1mol wt%). As a result our preterm infants receive 13 mg/day of DHA fed 150ml/kg/day as compared to fetal accretion of 65 mg/day. Dietary intake correlates well with milk concentrations but a paucity of data exists as to the amount in a donor milk population.ObjectiveWe tested the hypotheses that dietary DHA would be significantly lower than 200 mg per day suggested intake for lactation.MethodsAfter IRB approval and informed consent, human milk donors to the Mother's Milk Bank of Ohio completed dietary records. Dietary Analysis was done using NDST software by a trained individual. Statistics were done using Wicoxon Signed Rank Test.ResultsN= 14 had complete records. Donor age was 27–39 years with lactational stage 2–11 months. Origin of donors were OH, PA, MA, and NY. Dietary analysis demonstrated low intake of DHA with a median value of 23 mg per day (0–194mg range) in all participants which was significantly different from 200 mg/day (p = 0.0001).Neither age nor lactational stage correlated with DHA intake.ConclusionsThe donor milk population demonstrated low dietary intake of DHA. Next, the other 9 North America milk banks should be evaluated to determine if this is a regional experience or if supplementation with DHA >200mg/day is required for mothers providing human milk.Funding: Intramural support from the Research Institute