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Factors affecting the Thiamine Content of Breast Milk¹

Four Figures

Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Illinois

1. Thiamine has been determined by micro-fermentation procedure in 111 samples of breast milk from fifty different women.

2. The average thiamine content of all samples was 15.1 µg. per 100 ml. of milk. Women who were nursing their infants without using supplementary formulas had milk containing 20.1 µg. of thiamine per 100 ml. Women who had to use supplementary feedings for their infants, or who were weaning their infants, had an average thiamine content of 9.3 µg. per cent for their milk.

3. Colostrum contained almost no thiamine and the vitamin increased only gradually in the milk as lactation progressed. Most women required 3 or more weeks before their milk reached the level of thiamine content characteristic for the individual. The use of intramuscular thiamine during labor, and of oral thiamine supplements post partum, caused a rapid increase in the thiamine content of the milk within 9 days to values such as most women achieved in 3 or 4 weeks.

4. There was a tendency for low milk thiamine values to be associated with low blood thiamine values, and higher milk levels with higher blood levels.

5. Some women could secrete milk containing 20 µg. or more per 100 ml. on intakes of about 1.5mg. of thiamine. Other women required higher dietary thiamine or thiamine therapy.

Manuscript received 20 July 1942.