Evaluation of Nutrient Composition in Breast Milk of Breast Feeding Mothers in Urban and Sub-Urban Subjects in Rivers State

Abstract

The human breast milk is considered to be the perfect food for infants, specifically adapted to their needs. Changes in lifestyle and environment may impact on breast milk composition. This study was aimed at comparing the nutrients composition in breast milk in postpartum women in urban and sub-urban areas in Rivers State. The cross-sectional study was conducted among 59 postpartum subjects between 0 and 10days of child delivery in each group. Sampling was done through a simple random sampling method. Human breast milk was collected by means of a manual breast pump for the analysis of carbohydrate, protein and lipid using ClegAnthrone Method, Kjedahl Method and Soxhelt Extraction Method respectively. The results revealed that carbohydrate level was 6.1±0.5% in urban group and 5.0±0.1% in sub-urban group which was statistically significant (t-value=2.2; p-value=0.04). Protein level was 3.5±0.6% in urban group and 3.9±0.3% in sub-urban group which was statistically non-significant (t-value=0.6; p-value=0.57).  Lipid level was 6.1±0.5% and 5.0±0.1% in urban and sub-urban groups respectively which was statistically non- significant (t-value=1.2; p-value=0.27). This study has revealed that differences in settlements (urban and sub-urban) have no impact on breast milk composition except in carbohydrate.