Assessing Breastfeeding Practices Objectively Using Stable Isotope Techniques

An objective method of assessing breastfeeding practices is required to evaluate progress toward the World Health Organization Global Target 2025: to increase exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates in the first 6 months to at least 50% by 2025. Currently, assessment of EBF at the population level is ba...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of nutrition and metabolism 2019-12, Vol.75 (2), p.109-113
Main Authors: Slater, Christine, Kaestel, Pernille, Houghton, Lisa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Babies
Breast feeding
Breast milk
Breastfeeding & lactation
Contaminants
Deuterium
Essential nutrients
Evaluation
Health aspects
Heavy water
Infants
Isotope analysis
Meeting Report
Milk
Mothers
Nutrients
Nutrition
Nutritional aspects
Product/Service Evaluations
Stable isotopes
Studies
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Summary:An objective method of assessing breastfeeding practices is required to evaluate progress toward the World Health Organization Global Target 2025: to increase exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates in the first 6 months to at least 50% by 2025. Currently, assessment of EBF at the population level is based on mother or caregiver reporting, which risks recall and social desirability bias. A more objective method is the deuterium oxide dose to mother (DTM) technique, in which lactating mothers are given a small amount of deuteriumlabeled water. The infant receives deuterium during breastfeeding, and a compartmental model is used to determine the amount of human milk consumed by the infant, and the exclusivity of breastfeeding practices. If the amount of human milk consumed by an infant is determined using the DTM technique and the concentration of nutritional components or potentially toxic contaminants is measured, then the infant’s intake of essential nutrients or environmental contaminants can be ascertained.
ISSN:0250-6807
1421-9697
DOI:10.1159/000503667