Correlation of maternal nutritional status with breast milk content of iron, zinc and vitamin A in rural southern Ethiopia
Keywords:
Breast milk composition, dietary intake, plasma nutrient level, BorichaAbstract
Background: Malnutrition in women can be categorized as the macro-and micro-nutrient malnutrition. Many women, particularly those living in developing countries like Ethiopia, are underweight and/or stunted. Nutritional status of mothers in Ethiopia is currently a major public health concern. There are three key factors of maternal nutrition that could have an impact on human milk composition: current dietary intake, nutrient store, and alterations in nutrient utilization.
Objective: The aim of this research was to study the relation between maternal nutritional status and contents iron, zinc and vitamin A in breast milk of mothers in a rural community in Southern Ethiopia.
Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2012. Maternal anthropometric status, plasma level of ferritin, iron, zinc and retinol and breast milk composition was assessed. Energy and nutrient intakes were calculated using 24h recall method.
Results: The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (using hemoglobin concentration), zinc deficiency (using plasma zinc) and vitamin A deficiency (using plasma retinol) among lactating mothers of 6 to 12 months of postpartum in Boricha, SNNP, district were 36%, 100% and 7.3%, respectively. The median calorie and nutrient intake of the lactating mothers were below the Estimated Average Requirement. Dietary intake of vitamin A (beta-carotene) showed a significant positive correlation (p<0.05, r=0.24) with plasma retinol concentration of lactating mothers. The plasma concentration of retinol also showed a significant correlation (p<0.05, r=0.23) with that of breast milk retinol concentration.
Conclusion: Maternal malnutrition is a serious problem in the study area. Maternal plasma retinol status was positively related with maternal intake of vitamin A and breast milk retinol concentration.
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