Mobile Site ›
Print Page Email Page

Interpretive Handbook

‹ Back to index | Back to list | More information

Test 81976:
Breast Milk Nutritional Analysis

Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

For breast-fed infants, half of the infant's caloric needs are supplied by fat in the breast milk. If the fat supply is inadequate, nutritional deficiencies may occur and may cause failure to thrive.

Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Assessing the nutritional quality of human milk specimens

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

The nutritional content of breast milk changes considerably from day 1 to day 36 postpartum. Subsequent to that time the nutritional content is considered to be stable.

 

Measured nutritional components are glucose, lactose, triglyceride, and protein. Deficiency of any of the measured or calculated parameters is suggestive of decreased nutritional quality of human breast milk.

Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

No significant cautionary statements

Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

 

Post-Partum

Day 1

Post-Partum

Day 36

Glucose

15-40 mg/dL

15-40 mg/dL

Lactose

2,100-6,000 mg/dL

2,700-8,000 mg/dL

Triglycerides

420-3,900 mg/dL

1,600-6,400 mg/dL

Proteins

1,200-4,700 mg/dL

880-1,920 mg/dL

Clinical References Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature

Lawrence RA, Lawrence RM: Breastfeeding: a guide for the medical profession. 5th edition. Edited by Mosby. St. Louis. 1999