Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs
08:58

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs

Published on: October 31, 2025

585

Correlations between feeding type and blood ionized magnesium levels in Japanese preterm infants

Akiko Watanabe1, Hiromichi Shoji1, Atsuko Awaji1

  • 1Juntendo University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan.

Magnesium Research
|May 16, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Breast milk feeding in preterm infants is associated with lower serum magnesium and ionized magnesium levels at discharge compared to formula feeding. Further research is needed to understand magnesium

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Magnesium (Mg) content varies between breast milk and formula.
  • Limited research exists on blood Mg levels in preterm infants based on feeding type.
  • Preterm infants have unique nutritional requirements and are at risk for deficiencies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of feeding type (breast milk vs. formula) on serum magnesium and whole blood ionized magnesium (iMg) levels in preterm infants.
  • To compare Mg and iMg levels at different time points (day 1 and discharge).
  • To identify predictors of Mg and iMg levels in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 115 preterm infants (gestational weeks 32-35).
  • Infants were categorized into breast milk (BM) dominant (≥70% Mg from BM) and mixed-fed (MF) (≥30% Mg from formula) groups.
  • Serum Mg, whole blood iMg, Ca, and iCa levels were measured at day 1 and hospital discharge.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in Mg and iMg levels were observed at day 1 between BM and MF groups.
  • At discharge, the BM group showed significantly lower Mg and iMg levels compared to the MF group (P < 0.05).
  • Percentage of breast milk intake was a significant independent predictor of Mg and iMg levels.

Conclusions:

  • Feeding type impacts serum Mg and blood iMg levels in preterm infants shortly after birth.
  • Breast milk dominant feeding is associated with lower Mg and iMg levels at discharge.
  • Further investigation into the role of Mg in preterm infant growth and optimal blood Mg levels is warranted.

More Related Videos

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates06:27

Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates

Published on: December 31, 2015

8.5K
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting14:43

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

Published on: January 12, 2018

12.5K

Related Concept Videos

Blood Typing01:10

Blood Typing

Understanding an individual's blood group is a critical component of transfusion medicine. It ensures compatibility in blood transfusions, organ transplants, and even during pregnancy. Determining these blood groups involves the ABO and Rh blood typing systems, utilizing specific antigens and corresponding anti-sera to identify an individual's blood type.
Antigens are protein molecules that reside on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs). The ABO and Rh blood typing systems target...
2.5K
Blood Types02:20

Blood Types

Human blood is classified into different types based on the presence of antigens on the red blood cell's surface and antibodies in the plasma. Proper identification of blood type is essential for successful blood transfusion. The International Society of Blood Transfusion has identified 38 human blood types based on the surface antigens on the red blood cells. The most common types are ABO, Rh, and MNS blood types.
ABO blood group
ABO antigens are glycoproteins encoded by genes present on...
22.5K
Ionization Energy03:12

Ionization Energy

The amount of energy required to remove the most loosely bound electron from a gaseous atom in its ground state is called its first ionization energy (IE1). The first ionization energy for an element, X, is the energy required to form a cation with 1+ charge:
43.1K
Correlations02:20

Correlations

Correlation means that there is a relationship between two or more variables (such as ice cream consumption and crime), but this relationship does not necessarily imply cause and effect. When two variables are correlated, it simply means that as one variable changes, so does the other. We can measure correlation by calculating a statistic known as a correlation coefficient. A correlation coefficient is a number from -1 to +1 that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between...
35.8K
Correlation and Causation01:27

Correlation and Causation

Statistical tests can calculate whether there is a relationship, or correlation, between independent and dependent variables. An indirect relationship of the variables signifies a correlation, while a direct relationship shows causation. If it is determined that no connection exists between the variables, then the correlation is a coincidence.
Correlation versus Causation
If the dependent variable increases or decreases when the independent variable increases, there is a positive or negative...
42.4K
Correlation01:09

Correlation

In statistics, two variables are said to be correlated if the values of one variable are associated with the other variable. Depending on the relationship between two variables, correlation can be of three types– positive correlation, negative correlation, and zero correlation.
Two variables, for example, a and b, are said to be positively correlated if both variables move in the same direction. In other words, a positive correlation exists between two variables, a and b, if:
14.8K