Biochemical and nutritional assessment of breast milk in sudan

Abstract AR

Objectives : To determine a biochemical and nutritional profile of breast milk in Sudanese women.

The quantity and quality of the milk in addition to the growth patterns of the infants were determined.

Methods : The study was carried out in El Gadarif Teaching Hospital in Eastern Sudan.

The weighing method was used to determine milk volume.

The chemical composition of the milk, and the body weights and growth rates of the exclusively breast fed infants were determined.

The methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists were used (AOAC1990).

Statistical analysis was carried out according to the SPSS program.

Results : 24 hour milk volume was 702+/-121 g; water content was 87.3+/-0.45 g/100 ml, protein was 1.6+/- 0.46 g/100 ml; lactose was 6.9+/-0.79 g/100 ml; fat was 3.23+/-1.2 g/100 ml, sodium was 16.5+/-2.6 mg/100 ml, potassium was 55+7-3.6 mg/100 ml; calcium 41.1+/-17.6 mg/100 ml; and energy was 63.2+Z-8.5 Kcal/100 ml.

Conclusion: The average milk volume and chemical composition were comparable to the results from other studies from developed and developing countries.