Comparison of the iron content in mature breast milk of the Añú, Barí, Wayúu and non-indigenous ethnic groups

Abstract

Breast milk is a natural source of essential minerals for life, such as iron (Fe), which plays important roles in infant growth and development, related to oxygen transport, immune response, and as a metabolic enzyme cofactor. Very little is known about the content of this bio-element in mothers’ milk in various local ethnic groups. The objective of the study was to compare the
content of Fe in mature maternal milk from women of the Añú, Barí, Goajiras and non-indigenous ethnic groups. A  total of 65 samples of mature maternal milk were collected from women belonging to the Añú (n=10), Barí (n=16), and Wayúu (n=13) ethnic groups, as well as milk samples from non-indigenous women (n=26). Iron concentrations were determined by Atomic Absorption
Spectrometry. The results showed very signifi cant differences between the groups for the Fe content in the samples
of mature breast milk (P=0.000002), with the following mean values ± standard deviation (range): Add 7.2±11.7 (0-38.9) μg/100ml; Bari 53.5±67.7 (7.2- 298.6) μg/100ml; Wayúu 156.6±77.8  (59.2-319.4) μg/100ml and non-indigenous 148.0±176.7 (7.2-985.8) μg/100ml. The concentration of Fe in Wayúu and non-indigenous milk varied by an order of magnitude similar to that reported in
other countries. It is concluded that there is a signifi cant decrease in the iron content analyzed in samples of mature Añú
and Barí breast milk, which could cause defi ciency of this essential mineral in children who are exclusively breastfed.