Objectives: We have studied the quantitative differences in the percent fatty acid composition of human milk throughout its maturational process.
Material and methods: We analyzed milk, obtained by an electrical milk extractor (EGNELL LACT-E AMEDA), from 24 women at 3 days (colostrum) and 7 (transitional milk) after delivery. A Varian 3300 chromatograph was used for fatty acid evaluation. At 48 hours after delivery, the lipid status of the maternal blood was also evaluated.
Results: The mean age of the mothers was 27.4 +/- 3.7 years, with 54% primiparous and the mean weight of the newborns was 3117.5 +/- 678.6 g. Comparing colostrum with transitional milk showed a statistically significant difference between saturated fatty acids (C8, C13, and C15) and polyunsaturated fats (C18:3 and C20:4). The concentration of C13, C15, C17, C18, C16:1 and C18:1 obtained in colostrum correlated with those in transitional milk. Serum maternal lipid concentrations of cholesterol and LDL influenced milk levels of C18:2, C18:3 and C20:4. On the contrary, we could not demonstrate a similar influence on triglycerides, apoprotein A or B.