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Trace element content in human milk during lactation of preterm newborns

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Abstract

The present study has been finalized to perform the content of Zn, Cu, Cr, Se, Mn, F, Mo, Ni, and B in the preterm human milk over 21 d of lactation. Trace element (TE) contents were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-MS), and median concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cr, Se, Mn, and F observed in preterm milk did not demonstrate significant differences in comparison to levels shown in term milk. A statistical significant difference (p<0.05) has been found among Mo, Ni, and B content in preterm milk for every stage of lactation. TE content of infant blood founded concentrations of Mo in preterm babies significantly (p<0.01) lower than in term offsprings. Similar values of other TE content were obtained in blood of preterm, and term newborns. These findings point to the need for a considerable reassessment of the existing dietary recommendation for Mo content in infant feeding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, Institute of Nutrition, University of L’Aquila, via S. Sisto 22 E, 67100, L’Aquila, Italy

    Elvira Aquilio, Roberta Spagnoli & Siro Seri

  2. Neonatology Service, S. Salvatore Hospital-L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy

    Gabriella Bottone & Gianfranco Spennati

Authors
  1. Elvira Aquilio
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  2. Roberta Spagnoli
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  3. Siro Seri
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  4. Gabriella Bottone
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  5. Gianfranco Spennati
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Aquilio, E., Spagnoli, R., Seri, S. et al. Trace element content in human milk during lactation of preterm newborns. Biol Trace Elem Res 51, 63–70 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02790148

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