All issues > Volume 33(3); 1990

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1990;33(3):291-298. Published online March 31, 1990.

A Study on Free Fatty Acid and Albumin Levels in Breast Milk.

Eun Young Kwak¹, Sang Kee Park¹, Chang Soo Ra¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Kwang Ju, Korea

Received: June 27, 1989;  Accepted: October 20, 1989.

Abstract

Breast milk has been the principal roles of feeding infants all over the world. Fatty acid in breast milk is a very important source of energy and a-lactalbumin is a specipic protein that is necessary for optimal growth and development of infants. The free fatty acid and albumin levels in breast milk from 128 korean mothers were analysed from January to August 1988. A total number of 128 samples were collected at three stages of lactation: colostrum (1 to 6 days postpartum), transitional (7 to 1.5 days postpartum) and mature (after 30 days postpartum). Samples were collected by manual expression. After collection the samples were frozen immediately, and held at —20X〕until analyzed. Free fatty acid level was measured by Enzyme method using V-NEFA kit (Japan) and albumin by Dye binding method using Albustret Kit (Korea). The results were as follows: 1) The mean levels of free fatty acid in colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk were 7.36± 2.36mEq/L, 8.23±4.21 mEq/L and 9.42±3.49mEq/L, respectively. The mean free fatty acid level of mature milk is significantly higher than that of colostrum (p<0.01). 2) The mean levels of albumin in colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk were 52.7±14.7 mg/dl，32.6± 18.1 mg/dl and 23.5±19.2mg/dl, respectively. The mean albumin level of colostrum was significantly higher than that of mature milk (p<0.01). 3) No significant differences of free fatty acid and albumin levels were noted in breast milk according to the age of lactating mothers (p>0.1). 4) No significant differences of free fatty acid and albumin levels were noted in breast milk between urban and rural area (p>0.05). 5) No significant differences of free fatty acid and albumin levels were noted in breast milk according to the parity of lactating mothers (p>0.05). 6) No significant differences of free f^ty acid and albumin levels were noted in transitional milk between mothers with jaundiced infants and mothers without jaundiced infants (p>0.1).

Keywords :Breast milk, Free fatty acid, Albumin