Calcio y magnesio en leche madura de mujeres lactantes de una comunidad de Valencia. Venezuela

Investigations indicate the existence of changes in micronutrient concentrations in human milk, regardless, most of the time, of the nutritional state of the nursing mother. The objective of this study was to determine mature milk calcium and magnesium concentration in a population of nursing women from Carabobo State. Methods: 10-15 ml of milk samples from each of 82 nursing and apparently-healthy women were evaluated. Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) concentration were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometrics. Physical examination was done. Anthropometric nutritional diagnosis (AND) by body mass index (BMI), pattern of food consumption with frequency questionnaire, and socioeconomic data according to Graffar were obtained. Results: Average age 24.9 ± 5.8 years; socioeconomic levels were in strata IV and V. BMI: 25,0 ± 3.7 kg/m2; AND: 75.6%, within normal values; 8.5% with nutritional deficit; and 9% above-normal values. Calcium and magnesium average concentrations were within normal values (CA, 334,70 ± 76,10 μg/mL, and Mg, 24,80 ± 6,61 μg/mL). Calcium and magnesium values in milk samples from mothers of stratum IV were low: 329,51 ± 77,67 and 24,36 ± 6.55 μg/mL, respectively, with no significant difference regarding average values of the same minerals for stratum V. Frequency of food consumption: 77% had white cheese daily; 99% a corn patty, and 89% oat flakes. Conclusion: Milk samples had normal average concentrations of calcium and magnesium, which indicates that concentration of these minerals is not dependent upon socioeconomic stratum.