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Am J Clin Nutr. 1981 Jul;34(7):1338-46. |
The effects of ascorbic acid, vitamin B6,
vitamin B12, and folic acid supplementation on the breast milk and maternal
nutritional status of low socioeconomic lactating women.
Sneed SM, Zane C, Thomas MR.
In this double-blind study, the effects of ascorbic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin
B12, and folate supplementation on the maternal nutritional status and vitamin
content of breast milk in 16 low socioeconomic lactating women were studied.
Nine subjects were administered a commercial multivitamin-multimineral
supplement and seven were given placebos. Milk samples were collected four
times per day at 4-h intervals from 5 to 7 and 43 to 45 days postpartum.
Fasting blood samples were taken from all mothers at the end of each milk
collection period. Dietary records of all foods consumed were kept from 4 to 7
and 42 to 45 days postpartum. There were no significant differences in milk or
plasma levels of ascorbic acid between the unsupplemented and supplemented
groups. Both the EGPT index and milk concentration of vitamin B6 were significantly
different (p less than 0.01) between the unsupplemented and supplemented
groups. The milk concentrations of vitamin B12 increased significantly (p less
than 0.05) in the supplemented group, as did the milk concentrations of folate
(p less than 0.01). Because of consistently low levels of dietary vitamin B6
and folic acid in this group of low socioeconomic lactating women, either
dietary changes or supplements could be necessary to maintain recommended
levels of these vitamins in the womens' breast milk.
Publication Types:
· Clinical Trial
· Controlled Clinical Trial
PMID: 7258124 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]