Measurement of milk intake by deuterium dilution

In 14 studies, each lasting seven days, on eight bottle fed infants milk intake was measured by deuterium dilution and by weighing the formula consumed and oral losses. Mean (SD) milk intake was 829 (108) g/day when measured by isotope dilution and 837 (98) g/day when measured by direct weighing, giving a mean difference between methods of 1.0 (5.0)%. Thus the stable isotope procedure is a potentially useful method for investigating lactation and nutritional problems.