The postnatal changes of selenium (Se). zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and taurine in human milk, and its relation to growth were examined. The samples were collected from 239 healthy women, from days 3 to 215 postpartum.
The Se, Zn, Cu and taurine concentrations in human milk decreased with postnatal days. The Se concentrations (mean and SD) from days 3 to 7 postpartum (stage 1). from 8 to 30 (stage 2). from 31 to 150 ( stage 3) and over 151 days ( stage 4) were 27±8, 22±6, 15±4, and 18±12ng/ml, respectively. The Zn concentrations from stage 1 to 4 was 4.6±2.5, 3.2±0.4, 1.1±0.6, and 0.8±0.7μg/ml. respectively. The Cu concentrations were 0.29±0.18 for stage 1 and 2, 0.22±0.06 for stage 3, and 0.18±0.09 for stage 4, respectively. The taurine concentrations from stage 1 to 4 were 0.59±0.21, 0.46±0.20, 0.22±0.59, and 0.18±0.09 μmoles/ml, respectively.
After the human milk samples were divided into high (over mean +0.68σ ,about 25% of the population) and low (below mean -0.68σ ) concentration groups with regard to each nutrient examined, significant relationships were observed between body weight and concentrations of copper and taurine in human milk.
