ABSTRACT
The contents of the vitamins B1 (27 ng/ml), B2 (57 ng/ml), A (1.3 micrograms/ml), and E (9.7 micrograms/ml) as well as beta-carotene (0.2 microgram/ml) in transitional human milk were determined for up to 35 women aged between 19 and 31 years. Additionally, the vitamin content in maternal and cord plasma as well as the erythrocytic transketolase- and glutathione-reductase activities of the water soluble vitamins were measured. Dietary recalls were evaluated for the nutritional intake of vitamins. Concerning the fat soluble vitamins, the breast fed newborns received the recommended amounts of the German Society of Nutrition (DGE) for this group. In contrast to this, the supply of the water soluble vitamins (B1: 13.5 micrograms/500 ml; B2: 28.5 micrograms/500 ml) attained only 5 to 10% of the recommendations for newborns during the first two weeks after parturition with breast feeding. Vitamin content of maternal plasma (B1: 6.1 +/- 2.8 ng/ml) and erythrocytic enzyme activities (alpha ETK: 0.86-1.62; alpha EGR: 1.08-1.75) indicated a low or sufficient intake, while the values in cord blood (B1: 19.8 +/- 6.5 ng/ml; alpha ETK: 0.62-1.62; alpha EGR: 1.01-1.47) were in accordance with a satisfactory supply.
