Human milk fatty acids from lactating mothers of preterm infants: A study revealing wide intra- and inter-individual variation

Smithers, L.G.; Markrides, M.; Gibson, R.A.

doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2010.02.034

« Previous Next »Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids
Volume 83, Issue 1 , Pages 9-13, July 2010

Human milk fatty acids from lactating mothers of preterm infants: A study revealing wide intra- and inter-individual variation

L.G. Smithers
- Women's and Children's Health Research Institute, at the Children, Youth and Women's Health Service, North Adelaide and the Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia
M. Markrides
- Women's and Children's Health Research Institute, at the Children, Youth and Women's Health Service, North Adelaide and the Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, Australia
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
R.A. Gibson
- Women's and Children's Health Research Institute, at the Children, Youth and Women's Health Service, North Adelaide and the Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, Australia
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- Corresponding author at: School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia. Tel.: +61883034333 Fax; +61883037135.

Received 1 September 2009; received in revised form 22 February 2010; accepted 23 February 2010. published online 23 April 2010.

Abstract

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) are important nutrients in the preterm diet and fixed ratios have been proposed for formula. We evaluated the intra- and inter-individual variation in milk fatty acids from mothers of preterm infants involved in a randomised trial of tuna oil or placebo supplementation. Milk samples were collected every 2 weeks while infants were hospitalised and fatty acids analysed by capillary gas chromatography. DHA was higher in milk of supplemented mothers than control (% total fatty acids, mean±SD, treatment 0.9±0.4, control 0.3±0.1, p<0.0005) and ranged between 0.3–2.5% and 0.1–1.1%, respectively. AA did not differ between groups and ranged between 0.2–0.9% and 0.3–0.9%, respectively. Control mothers milk had wider AA:DHA ratio than treatment mothers (0.4–3.2 versus 0.2–2.1). Due to the wide variation in milk AA and DHA, statements recommending infant formula based on a fixed AA:DHA ratio should be re-examined.

Keywords: Docosahexaenoic acid, Arachidonic acid, Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, Human milk