Alpha-Tocopherol Levels in Milk of Exclusively Breast-Feeding Mothers in Benin City, Nigeria

The influence of prolonged breastfeeding on breast-milk alpha tocopherol was assessed in 112 lactating mothers practicing exclusive breast-feeding on term infants. The cross sectional study was carried out between May 1st and 30th, 2005 at the University of Benin/University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City among lactating mothers. Employing the Quaife's method, mean alpha-tocopherol values were determined in spot samples of breast milk. Though not significant mean Breast-milk (BM) alphatocopherol tended to decline with maternal age (p > 0.05) parity (p > 0.05) and duration of breastfeeding. Similarly, family socio-economic status did not significantly influence mean BM alphatocopherol levels. Exclusive and or prolonged breast feeding do not predispose the infant to low vitamin E supplies through the breast milk. Further studies are advocated to evaluate the effects of other biosocial variables on the levels of BM anti-oxidant vitamins including alpha-tocopherol (Afr J Reprod Health 2009; 13[2]:55-60). Nous avons évalué l'influence de l'allaitement prolongé sur le tocophérol-alpha du lait maternel chez 112 mères allaitant qui pratiquent l'allaitement exclusive de leurs enfants nés à terme. L'étude transversale a été effectuée entre le 1e et le 30 mai 2005 à l'University of Benin Teaching Hospital auprès des mères allaitant. A l'aide de la méthode Quaife, les valeurs moyennes du tocophérolalpha ont été déterminés à travers des échantillons de taches du lait maternel. Quoique peu significatif, le lait maternel moyen (mm) du tocophérol-alpha avait la tendance à baisser avec l'âge maternel (p