Trace mineral status of full-term infants fed human milk, milk-based formula or partially hydrolysed whey protein formula

Abstract

Plasma zinc, copper, and selenium concentrations were determined in 129 full-term infants at birth and at the age of four months by electrothermal or hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. Of these, 49 infants were exclusively breast-fed (HM), 45 received various commercially available cow's milk formulae (F) and 35 infants were fed partially hydrolysed whey protein formula (PHF). The results were correlated with hematological, biochemical and somatic data. Plasma zinc values decreased from birth to the age of four months in all three groups (p < 0.001). The plasma Zn level of the babies fed PHF were similar to those of breast-fed infants, whereas in F-fed children the zinc values were significantly lower (PHF, 807 +/- 106; HM, 794 +/- 112; F, 725 +/- 111 micrograms l-1; all the measurements were performed at the age of four months). In infants fed PHF formula there was a negative correlation between plasma zinc and weight or height increments. In agreement with the literature, plasma copper and ceruloplasmin increased significantly within the first four months of life. The plasma copper content was similar in either feeding group. Plasma selenium was low at birth (40 +/- 9 micrograms l-1) and remained constant in breast-fed infants. In infants on PHF there was a steeper decline of plasma Se (20 +/- 6 micrograms l-1) than in infants fed cow's milk formula (29 +/- 9 micrograms l-1). Other parameters of the Se status showed a similar pattern. Despite the different zinc, copper, and selenium supply, plus presumedly different bioavailability, all the infants thrived.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Selenium content of Spanish infant formulae and human milk: Influence of protein matrix, interactions with other trace elements and estimation of dietary intake by infants

“…The concentration range in this study is similar to those found by other authors in Europe and America, and lower than in infant formulae studied from Asia (15,17,18,20,(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35) (table 5).…”

“…It is well documented that its content varies widely due to dietary selenium intake of the mother and this is reflected in wide variations in human milk selenium content. The concentration value determined is very similar to the selenium values of human milk reported by other researchers in different countries (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23) (table 4).…”

“…The statistical test reflects the values and tendencies observed before. Firstly, selenium content in human milk is significantly higher than that found in most studied infant formula (15,25,29). Secondly, selenium distribution is significantly different in the studied infant formula.…”

“…The only formulae which supply intakes higher than recommended are hypoallergenic preparations, during the first year of life. In spite of this fact, Jochum et al (15) have shown a lower selenium status in infants fed on partially hydrolysed whey formula with no clinical sign of deficiency in comparison with human milk or formula fed infants. The difference might be caused by a reduced bioavailability of selenium from hydrolysed formula used in this study.…”

S3-Leitlinie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Ernährungsmedizin (DGEM) in Zusammenarbeit mit der Gesellschaft für klinische Ernährung der Schweiz (GESKES), der Österreichischen Arbeitsgemeinschaft für klinische Ernährung (AKE), die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin (DGKJ) und die Gesellschaft für Neonatologie und pädiatrische Intensivmedizin (GNPI)

“…Die enterale Resorption von Spurenelementen bei teilparenteraler Ernäh-rung ist stark von der vorliegenden Zusammensetzung der Nahrung abhängig, z. B. mit deutlichen Unterschieden zwischen gestillten und mit Säuglingsnahrung ernährten Säuglingen[241]. Durch kontrollierte Studien konnte der Bereich des Bedarfes für einige Spurenelemente zumindest eingegrenzt werden[193, 233, 241 -244].…”