Abstract
In this study, we compared differences in the concentration of trace elements in breast milk in women after vaginal and caesarean section deliveries and evaluated the association between the concentration of trace elements in breast milk and infant growth over the first post-natal month. The concentration of the following trace elements was quantified using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry: manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, selenium, rubidium, strontium, and molybdenum. The concentration of trace elements was compared between transitional milk and mature milk in 52 women, 26 each after vaginal and caesarean section delivery. Only the concentration of manganese was higher in the vaginal delivery than caesarean section delivery group. The concentration of all trace elements was higher in transitional than mature milk. The concentration of zinc and strontium in mature milk was positively associated with greater neonate height and weight growth rates, per day, over the first post-natal month. Therefore, when concentrations of trace elements in breast milk are within normal limits, a relatively higher concentration of zinc and strontium in mature milk may enhance infant growth during the neonatal period.
