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. 2008 Mar;42(2):133-7.
doi: 10.3164/jcbn.2008019.

Association between Total Antioxidant Capacity in Breast Milk and Postnatal Age in Days in Premature Infants

Shoichi Ezaki  1 , Tomoo Ito, Keiji Suzuki, Masanori Tamura
Affiliations

Association between Total Antioxidant Capacity in Breast Milk and Postnatal Age in Days in Premature Infants

Shoichi Ezaki et al. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2008 Mar.

Abstract

This study aimed to consider the significance of breast milk in preventing oxidative stress by comparing total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in breast milk and formula milk for premature infants, demonstrating the relationship between TAC in breast milk and postnatal age in days. We used the biological anti-oxidant potential test, a new method to measure TAC in breast milk. Breast milk for premature infants were stored at -20 degrees C and thawed within 48 h of collection. We measured TAC in two types of formula milk in the same way. TAC was clearly higher in breast milk than formula milk. Although a negative correlation was observed between TAC in breast milk and age when collected, TAC was always higher than the average TAC in formula milk. TAC in breast milk is higher than TAC in formula milk. We suggest the importance of breast milk for preventing oxidative stress and starting breastfeeding early.

Keywords: breast milk; premature infant; total antioxidant capacity.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Total antioxidant capacity in correlation with day after delivery
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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