PREVALENCE OF ZINC, MAGNESIUM, CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS DEFICIT IN BREAST MILK IN LA PLATA CITY, ARGENTINA.

MA Gulayin1, E Perez1, D Rosa2, G Marín1, JO Errecalde1,2, N Mestorino1,2. 1Faculty of Medicine, National University of La Plata, La Plata, 1900, Argentina, 2Faculty of Veterinary , National University of La Plata, La Plata, 1900, Argentina

INTRODUCTION: Zinc (Zn), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca) and Phosphorus (P) are essential minerals for normal health and human development; especially for bone growth and function. They are important to various regulatory and homeostatic functions. They contribute to the proper functioning of the immune system of children, are part of some hormones, and are essential enzyme cofactors. Optimum absorption and function of these minerals occurs when a Ca/P ratio of 2 to 2.4/1 is present.

OBJECTIVE: To register the prevalence of Zn, Mg, Ca and P deficiency and to determine the proportional relationship Ca/P in breast milk from mothers of the City of La Plata and its surrounding neighborhoods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Breast milk was obtained from 37 volunteer women who were assisted in various health centers located in the City of La Plata. The obtainment of samples was at random and was performed by means of manual pumps. The concentration of Zn, Mg and Ca was measured in all samples, while P concentration was determined in 20 of them. Minerals concentrations determinations were carried out by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) using a GBC902 computer model with air-acetylene flame, oxidative type, and 324.7 nm wavelength. Previously, an aliquot of each sample was homogenized. Each mother has an average of 1.81 ± 1,68 children. Maternal age (average): 26.27 ± 6.05 years.

RESULTS: In the analyzed samples, the followings average concentrations were found: Zn= de 1.79 ± 1.003 µg/ml; Mg= de 2.01 ± 0.66 mg/ml; Ca = 16.37 ± 4.7 mg/dl; and P = 23.66 ± 14.28 mg/dl. Prevalence of deficiency of each mineral in breast milk was as follows: Zn = 21.62 % (Normal Value -NV- > 1 µg/ml); Mg= 21.62 % (NV>1.5 mg/dl); Ca= 94.59% (NV> 25.2 mg/dl); P= 30% (NV> 14 mg / dl). In 100% of the samples in which P was measured, the Ca/P relation was not within the optimum range (Ca/P=1.4-2.4/1). In consideration of these figures of Ca, Zn, and Mg concentrations, we obtained that 97.3 % of the samples has a deficit of at least one mineral, 37.84 % has a deficit of at least 2 minerals, and only one sample has deficit of all these minerals. Only 1 sample has not deficit in any of these minerals.

CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that in the sampled area mothers are not providing adequate amounts of Zn, Mg, Ca and P to their infants. At the same time, the inadequate Ca/P relation found in most of the cases would be detrimental to the efficient absorption and utilization of Ca and P. In our study, we did not find a relationship within different minerals deficits. Further studies to assess the magnitude of the problem and evaluate possible strategies to alleviate it are being developed.