Copper and Zinc Content in Human Milk in Croatia

• Published in: European journal of epidemiology Vol. 13; no. 2; pp. 185 - 188
• Main Authors: Mandić, Zlatko, Mandić, Milena L., Grgić, Jerica, Grgić, Zdravko, Klapec, Tomislav, Primorac, Ljiljana, Hasenay, Damir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Kluwer Academic Publishers 01.02.1997; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Anthropology. Demography; Atomic absorption spectroscopy; Bioavailability; Biological and medical sciences; Breastfeeding & lactation; Copper; Copper - analysis; Croatia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Dietary trace elements; Enzymes; Female; Food; Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology; Humans; Infant; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Lactation; Medical sciences; Milk; Milk, Human - chemistry; Multivariate Analysis; Nutritional Requirements; Physiology; Postpartum Period - physiology; Pregnancy; Questionnaires; Refugees; Refugees - statistics & numerical data; Scientific imaging; Social classes; Spectral analysis; Statistical results; Statistical significance; Zinc; Zinc - analysis; Europe; Croatia; Human; Socioeconomic status; Lactation; Nutrition; Rate; Infant; Refugee; Inorganic element; Epidemiology; Zinc; Trace element; Copper; Age; Public health; Breast milk
• ISSN: 0393-2990; 1573-7284
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1007337303724

The aim of this paper was to research whether there had been any statistically significant difference in the content of Cu and Zn in human milk depending on the social status of women (refugee and non-refugee), age, number of deliveries, days after delivery, weight gained by nursing women and smoking habits, as well as whether the infants had received sufficient quantities of these elements. The elements were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The samples were collected in the Clinical Hospital Osijek and Refugee Centre Nabrde, near Osijek, Eastern Croatia. The Cu in human milk ranged from 0.27 mg/l to 1.35 mg/l, and Zn from 0.62 mg/l to 15.0 mg/l. The mean levels of Cu and Zn for each group, formed according to the results of the questionnaire are presented too. Calculated daily dietary intake of these elements accords with the RDA.