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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 3, 2026

Fatty Acid 13C Isotopologue Profiling Provides Insight into Trophic Carbon Transfer and Lipid Metabolism of Invertebrate Consumers

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Published on: April 17, 2018

Assessing Breastfeeding Practices Objectively Using Stable Isotope Techniques.

Christine Slater¹, Pernille Kaestel², Lisa Houghton³

¹Independent Consultant, Maryport, United Kingdom, christine.slater@protonmail.com.

Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism

|November 20, 2019

Summary

Accurately measuring exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is crucial for global health targets. The deuterium oxide dose to mother (DTM) technique offers an objective alternative to self-reporting for assessing infant milk intake and breastfeeding practices.

Keywords:

Breastfeeding practices Deuterium Dose-to-mother technique Exclusive breastfeeding Stable isotope

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Published on: June 17, 2025

Area of Science:

Human Nutrition and Dietetics
Biomedical Measurement
Public Health Monitoring

Background:

The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to increase exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates to 50% by 2025.
Current population-level EBF assessment relies on maternal self-reporting, which is prone to recall and social desirability bias.
An objective, reliable method is needed to accurately evaluate breastfeeding practices and progress toward global targets.

Framework:

The deuterium oxide dose to mother (DTM) technique provides an objective measure of human milk intake.
Mothers ingest deuterium-labeled water, transferring deuterium to the infant via breast milk.
Compartmental modeling quantifies infant milk consumption and breastfeeding exclusivity.

Implementation:

Administer a small dose of deuterium-labeled water to lactating mothers.
Monitor deuterium levels in maternal and infant bodily fluids over time.
Utilize pharmacokinetic modeling to calculate infant milk intake.

Implications:

Accurate quantification of infant milk consumption enables precise assessment of EBF.
DTM technique allows for simultaneous measurement of nutrient intake and contaminant exposure in breastfed infants.
This objective method supports evidence-based interventions and policy development for infant nutrition and environmental health.