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Vitamin A in donor human milk: An experimental study
Amy Gates1, Sarah D Maria2, Nathan A Meredith2
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA.
Background:
We aimed to analyze vitamin A content in pooled donor human milk (DHM) and determine enteral vitamin A intake after fortification (NCT05742815).
Methods:
We analyzed pooled DHM (n = 15) from seven commercial milk banks for vitamin A (retinol) content. Retinol was directly quantified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography. Enteral retinol intake was calculated for several commercial liquid human milk fortifiers (HMFs) at standard fortification according to each manufacturer's instructions.
Results:
The mean retinol concentration in commercial DHM was 120 ± 30 international units (IU)/dl (range, 49-158 IU/dl). Retinol content correlated with fat content in DHM (R2 = 0.37; P = 0.01). Standard fortification of DHM with HMF (150 ml/kg/day; 24 kcal/ounce) results in variable enteral retinol intake (range, 200-1600 IU/kg/day).
Conclusion:
Vitamin A content in DHM approximates mature term human milk, but vitamin A intake may be insufficient for some preterm infants provided an exclusive human milk diet.
