[Consecutive study of nutritional composition of milk from mothers of preterm delivery]

The content of protein, fat, lactose, potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc in preterm human milk was determined from the longitudinal samples during the first 8 weeks of lactation. Changes in content, over time were tested by analysis of variance. Protein, potassium, sodium, copper, iron, zinc content decreased significantly as lactation progressed. Based upon these data, a preterm infant fed 200 ml per kg per day of its own mother's milk would receive an excess of all substrates except calcium, phosphorus and iron over the estimated intrauterine accretion rates. Within 4 weeks the first in the postpartum period, the average intake of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and copper was lower than the recommended intake. Iron intake is not adequate. After 4 weeks, the average intake of protein, sodium and zinc was lower than the recommended intake. The results may offer a basic datum for establishing premature infant feeding and formulation of human milk fortifiers (HMF).