Trace element content in human milk during lactation of preterm newborns

The present study has been finalized to perform the content of Zn, Cu, Cr, Se, Mn, F, Mo, Ni, and B in the preterm human milk over 21 d of lactation. Trace element (TE) contents were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-MS), and median concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cr, Se, Mn, and F observed in preterm milk did not demonstrate significant differences in comparison to levels shown in term milk. A statistical significant difference (p < 0.05) has been found among Mo, Ni, and B content in preterm milk for every stage of lactation. TE content of infant blood founded concentrations of Mo in preterm babies significantly (p < 0.01) lower than in term offsprings. Similar values of other TE content were obtained in blood of preterm and term newborns. These findings point to the need for a considerable reassessment of the existing dietary recommendation for Mo content in infant feeding.