Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
We tested the hypothesis that creamatocrit, the length of the cream column separated from milk by centrifugation and expressed as a percentage of the length of the total milk column, is a useful measure of the lipid concentration and the energy content of human milk.
STUDY DESIGN:
Milk samples from 17 mothers of preterm infants were analyzed prospectively, fresh as well as frozen and thawed, for creamatocrit measurement and nutrient composition.
RESULTS:
Creamatocrit correlated strongly with lipid concentration and energy content of human milk, fresh or frozen and thawed. The energy content can be calculated from the regression equation: Energy (kcal/dl) = 5.99 × creamatocrit (%) + 32.5 for a fresh sample, and energy (kcal/dl) = 6.20 × creamatocrit (%) + 35.1 for a frozen sample.
CONCLUSION:
Calculations of energy content from the creamatocrit measurement may be useful for an accurate assessment of energy intake in preterm infants fed human milk.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported in part by funds from the Clinical Nutrition Research Unit(DK 26657), Vanderbilt University.
Presented in part at the National Perinatal Association Annual ClinicalConference and Exposition (Young Investigator Award Presentation),Tampa, FL, December 7, 1997. C. D. W. and P. S. C.are medical students at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wang, C., Chu, P., Mellen, B. et al. Creamatocrit and the Nutrient Composition of Human Milk. J Perinatol 19, 343–346 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7200204
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7200204
- Springer Nature America, Inc.
This article is cited by
-
Feasibility and Efficacy of Defatted Human Milk in the Treatment for Chylothorax After Cardiac Surgery in Infants
Pediatric Cardiology (2016)
-
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the nutrient content of preterm and term breast milk
BMC Pediatrics (2014)
-
Fat loss in thawed breast milk: Comparison between refrigerator and warm water
Indian Pediatrics (2012)
-
The use of fat-free human milk in infants with chylous pleural effusion
Journal of Perinatology (2007)
-
Mothers' Milk Feedings in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Accuracy of the Creamatocrit Technique
Journal of Perinatology (2002)