Human milk: evaluation of crematocrit method for determining caloric content

SISTI, MARTÍN S; SANJURJO, ADRIANA; SAGER, GUSTAVO; LAGRUTTA, LUCÍA C; LAYERENZA, JUAN P; VES-LOSADA, ANA

Congreso; Reunion Anual de la SAIB; 2013

SAIB

Human milk is a fluid capable of providing all the nutrients anddefenses necessary for the newborns (NB). The neonatology serviceof the HIGA San Martin La Plata City has its own Mother?s MilkBank, whose milk is classified according to gestational age in whichthe birth took place (to find homogeneity with the recipient?s mothermilk); colostrum (up to 7 days old), transitional milk (7 to 14) andmature milk (over 14). Categorized milk is classified by its caloriccontent (CC), by the creamatocrit method (CM) which onlyconsiders milk lipids (L) whereas proteins (P) and carbohydrates(C) are not quantified (CM:L66.8+290).This allows selecting themilk which best adapts to the NB?s needs. The aim of the presentstudy was to determine if CM (at present applied in the MilkBank) is appropriated to evaluate milk CC. For this purpose milkCC was determined by CM and analytical methods (P:Kjeldakl,L:Gerber, C:Antrona-Sulfuric) and Atwater coefficients. Maturemilk had 0.40-0.65 kcal/ml (both methods). However, CM wasequivalent to CC only when milk P and C were within normalranges, if not CC was over/under estimated. In conclusion, wepropose milk CC should consider all macrocomponents, in benefitof those neonates undergoing critical stage. IR Spectrometry wouldbe the most convenient method since it is simple, quick, nondestructiveand sensitive.