Correlation between macronutrient content and donation characteristics in Croatian human milk bank.

Abstract

Objectives: Optimal macronutrient (protein, fat, carbohydrate) values in human milk (HM) are essential for the healthy growth of infants, particularly those with very low birth weight. This study aimed to investigate the correlations between macronutrient content in HM and the characteristics of donations in the Croatian HM bank.

Methods: A total of 211 pools of HM from 51 donors were included. Analysis of HM was performed on MIRIS Human Milk Analyzer (Miris AB, Uppsala, Sweden). Prior to routine use, a brief verification of MIRIS was performed (between-run and within-run precision).

Results: In precision study the coefficients of variation were all below 10 %, as well as bias, with the exception of the between-run for crude proteins high control level (bias was 12 %). Storage temperature in the donor's home positively correlated with fat (p=0.004) and energy content (p=0.009) and negatively correlated with carbohydrates (p=0.003). The duration of lactation (p<0.001) and the duration of HM storage (in donor's home p=0.022; in the bank p=0.001; total duration of HM storage p<0.001) negatively correlated with proteins in HM. Statistically significant difference was obtained for all components (fat p=0.008, proteins p=0.006, carbohydrates p<0.001, energy content p=0.002) when comparing infant's sex and milk macronutrients, with male infants having higher values.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that various factors can affect the macronutrient content of donated HM. It is important to monitor all factors that may impact on the quality of HM.