Essential and non-essential element concentrations in human milk samples and the assessment of infants’ exposure

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the concentrations of essential and non-essential elements in human milk (HM) samples. Additionally, the assessment of infants’ intake of analysed elements was evaluated. In total, 18 elements were determined in 30 HM samples of exclusively breastfeeding mothers during 4-6 weeks postpartum. For the elements analysis we used inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry. Most of the elements (n=11, 61%) were detected in all HM samples. The lowest detection level was for vanadium (n=3, 10%). The highest concertation was reported for copper (323.7 ± 98.0 μg/L). In all HM samples tin concentration was higher (5.67 ± 2.39) than the usual range reported by the World Health Organization (~1.0μg/L). HM cadmium content was positively associated with maternal salty snacks intake (r=0.502, p=0.005), arsenic with whole-grain products intake (r=0.37, p=0.043) and mercury concentration with fruits and seeds/nuts consumption (r=0.424, p=0.042 and r=0.378, p=0.039, respectively). Higher HM lead concentration was predicted by maternal age (95% CI [0.94-0.97]), intake of fish (95% CI [1.01-1.03]) and vegetables (95% CI [1.02-1.06]). There is a need to perform further research in this topic to maximazie the benefits of breastfeeding by minimazing maternal and infants’ exposure to potentially toxic elements.