Effect of breastfeeding on serum zinc levels and growth in healthy infants

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the association among breastfeeding, serum zinc levels, and nutritional status of children.

Subjects and methods: One hundred healthy infants were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements of the children were taken, and their plasma zinc levels were determined. The mothers were interviewed about the duration of breastfeeding and nutrition pattern of the children at the time of zinc measurement.

Results: Low zinc levels were associated with lower weight measurements (r=0.49, p<0.001), but the association between height and zinc level was not statistically significant (r=0.18, p>0.05). There was a negative correlation between breastfeeding duration and weight-for-age percentile (r=-0.2, p<0.05), height-for-age percentile (r=-0.3, p<0.05), and serum zinc level (r=-0.3, p=0.002). The pattern of nutrition correlated only with the weight of the infant (r=0.2, p<0.05) and not with either height or serum zinc levels (p>0.05).

Conclusions: Exclusive breastfeeding beyond 6 months of age has negative effects on serum zinc levels and can be associated with low weight gain, which will be especially important in developing countries.