Effect of Maternal Factors on the Concentrations of Minerals and Immunological Substance in Breast Milk

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of maternal nutritional status and health behaviors on the concentrations of minerals (Zn, Fe, Ca) and the immunological substances (lactoferrin, sIgA, Iysozyme) in breast milk. Breast milk was collected from 193 healthy Korean women from obstetric clinics and postpartum care centers in Seoul. : 99 colostrum (1 - 5 days postpartum), 33 transitional milk (6 - 10 days postpartum), 61 mature milk (11 - 50 days postpartum). The concentrations of minerals and immunological substance were highest in colostrum and decreased with lactational period. Concentrations of Zn and Fe reduced significantly from colostrum to mature milk, however, Ca concentration stayed constant throughout the lactational period. Contents of lactoferrin, sIgA, and lysozyme were significantly lower in mature milk than in colostrum. Mother's nutritional status, assessed by prepregnancy BMI, had an effect only on colostrum, but not on transition and mature milk. Fe concentration of colostrum was significantly lower in underweight (prepregnancy BMI < 18.5) than in overweight mothers (prepregnancy BMI $\geq$ 23.0). Also lower tendency was observed for sIgA and lysozyme contents, even though the difference was not statistically significant. Pregnancy weight gain had no effect on the breast milk component. Since nutritional factors had some effect on colostrum, the health behaviors of mothers providing colostrum were assessed. The mother's behavior of smoking, drinking, morning sickness, parity, disease, nutrient supplement use had no significant effect on the breast milk component, however, Zn, sIgA, and lysozyme were the somewhat affected components by maternal health behavior.

모유의 무기질과 면역물질함량에 영향을 미치는 요인에 관한 연구