Mineral levels in lactating Lagos women: blood-breast milk correlation and environmental-nutritional influences
Background Lifestyle choices and environmental exposure to certain materials have been reported to alter the distribution of key electrolytes in the blood and breastmilk of pregnant women and, in some cases, worsen micronutrient deficiencies. This study aimed to determine the association of sodiu...
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Faculty of Medicine Trisakti University
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Universa Medicina |
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| Online Access: | https://univmed.org/ejurnal/index.php/medicina/article/view/1692 |
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| author | Oluwakemi Oyelowo Christian Makwe Abdullahi Adejare Oyinkansola Ajulo Cynthia Dieobi |
| author_facet | Oluwakemi Oyelowo Christian Makwe Abdullahi Adejare Oyinkansola Ajulo Cynthia Dieobi |
| author_sort | Oluwakemi Oyelowo |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Background
Lifestyle choices and environmental exposure to certain materials have been reported to alter the distribution of key electrolytes in the blood and breastmilk of pregnant women and, in some cases, worsen micronutrient deficiencies. This study aimed to determine the association of sodium, iron, potassium, and calcium ions in maternal blood with those in breast milk and how maternal lifestyle routines could affect the level of these micronutrients.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 30 breastfeeding mothers with newborns. They were administered a pre-tested questionnaire following informed consent. Blood and breastmilk specimens were obtained thereafter to determine the serum and breastmilk levels of iron, potassium, sodium, and calcium. Data were analyzed using unpaired t-tests with the significance level of p<0.05.
Results
A significant reduction in serum and breastmilk potassium ion levels (p<0.001 for both) was found in lactating women taking vitamin D, vitamin B, calcium, and folic acid supplements, particularly with increased serum iron levels. Conversely, exposure to paints (p<0.001), radiation (p<0.001), borehole water (p<0.05) and tap water (p<0.05) increased potassium ion levels in both blood and breastmilk. Notably, significant correlations existed between blood and breastmilk levels of sodium and potassium ions.
Conclusions
While breastmilk sodium and potassium ion levels are directly related to the level in the serum, supplemental intake of some vitamins as well as exposure to paints and radiation could significantly reduce blood and breastmilk potassium, thus further worsening the micronutrient deficiency (aka hidden hunger) in pregnant women.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-22c9b0b00156459eb3a65cd7efb15a1c |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2407-2230 1907-3062 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Faculty of Medicine Trisakti University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Universa Medicina |
| spelling | doaj-art-22c9b0b00156459eb3a65cd7efb15a1c2025-08-20T02:20:16ZengFaculty of Medicine Trisakti UniversityUniversa Medicina2407-22301907-30622025-04-0144110.18051/UnivMed.2025.v44.73-83Mineral levels in lactating Lagos women: blood-breast milk correlation and environmental-nutritional influencesOluwakemi Oyelowo0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2314-1896 Christian Makwe1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4634-5157Abdullahi Adejare2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1109-372XOyinkansola Ajulo3https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5041-631XCynthia Dieobi4https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0731-9172Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lagos, NigeriaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Lagos, NigeriaDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lagos, NigeriaDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria Background Lifestyle choices and environmental exposure to certain materials have been reported to alter the distribution of key electrolytes in the blood and breastmilk of pregnant women and, in some cases, worsen micronutrient deficiencies. This study aimed to determine the association of sodium, iron, potassium, and calcium ions in maternal blood with those in breast milk and how maternal lifestyle routines could affect the level of these micronutrients. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 30 breastfeeding mothers with newborns. They were administered a pre-tested questionnaire following informed consent. Blood and breastmilk specimens were obtained thereafter to determine the serum and breastmilk levels of iron, potassium, sodium, and calcium. Data were analyzed using unpaired t-tests with the significance level of p<0.05. Results A significant reduction in serum and breastmilk potassium ion levels (p<0.001 for both) was found in lactating women taking vitamin D, vitamin B, calcium, and folic acid supplements, particularly with increased serum iron levels. Conversely, exposure to paints (p<0.001), radiation (p<0.001), borehole water (p<0.05) and tap water (p<0.05) increased potassium ion levels in both blood and breastmilk. Notably, significant correlations existed between blood and breastmilk levels of sodium and potassium ions. Conclusions While breastmilk sodium and potassium ion levels are directly related to the level in the serum, supplemental intake of some vitamins as well as exposure to paints and radiation could significantly reduce blood and breastmilk potassium, thus further worsening the micronutrient deficiency (aka hidden hunger) in pregnant women. https://univmed.org/ejurnal/index.php/medicina/article/view/1692Blood nutrientsbreastmilk nutrientsenvironmental pollutantsvitamin supplementshidden hunger |
| spellingShingle | Oluwakemi Oyelowo Christian Makwe Abdullahi Adejare Oyinkansola Ajulo Cynthia Dieobi Mineral levels in lactating Lagos women: blood-breast milk correlation and environmental-nutritional influences Universa Medicina Blood nutrients breastmilk nutrients environmental pollutants vitamin supplements hidden hunger |
| title | Mineral levels in lactating Lagos women: blood-breast milk correlation and environmental-nutritional influences |
| title_full | Mineral levels in lactating Lagos women: blood-breast milk correlation and environmental-nutritional influences |
| title_fullStr | Mineral levels in lactating Lagos women: blood-breast milk correlation and environmental-nutritional influences |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mineral levels in lactating Lagos women: blood-breast milk correlation and environmental-nutritional influences |
| title_short | Mineral levels in lactating Lagos women: blood-breast milk correlation and environmental-nutritional influences |
| title_sort | mineral levels in lactating lagos women blood breast milk correlation and environmental nutritional influences |
| topic | Blood nutrients breastmilk nutrients environmental pollutants vitamin supplements hidden hunger |
| url | https://univmed.org/ejurnal/index.php/medicina/article/view/1692 |
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