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Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2008;93:F372-F375 doi:10.1136/adc.2007.133280
  • Original article

Near-infrared reflectance analysis to evaluate the nitrogen and fat content of human milk in neonatal intensive care units

  1. L Corvaglia,
  2. B Battistini,
  3. V Paoletti,
  4. A Aceti,
  5. M G Capretti,
  6. G Faldella
  1. Istituto Clinico di Pediatria Preventiva e Neonatologia, Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
  1. Dr L Corvaglia, Istituto Clinico di Pediatria Preventiva e Neonatologia, Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, Università di Bologna, Via Massarenti 11-40138 Bologna, Italy; luigi.corvaglia{at}unibo.it
  • Accepted 27 December 2007
  • Published Online First 11 January 2008

Abstract

Objective: To validate near-infrared reflectance analysis (NIRA) as a fast, reliable and suitable method for routine evaluation of human milk’s nitrogen and fat content.

Setting: One neonatal intensive care unit.

Patients: 124 samples of expressed human milk (55 from preterm mothers and 69 from term mothers).

Intervention: Measurement of nitrogen and fat content by NIRA and traditional methods (Gerber method for fat and Kjeldahl method for nitrogen).

Main outcome measures: Agreement between NIRA and traditional methods. Variability in fat and nitrogen content of human milk.

Results: A strong agreement was found between the results of traditional methods and NIRA for both fat and nitrogen content (expressed as g/100 g of milk) in term (mean fat content: NIRA = 2.76; Gerber = 2.76; mean nitrogen content: NIRA = 1.88; Kjeldahl  = 1.92) and preterm (mean fat content: NIRA = 3.56; Gerber = 3.52; mean nitrogen content: NIRA = 1.91; Kjeldahl  = 1.89) mothers’ milk. Nitrogen content of the milk samples, measured by NIRA, ranged from 1.18 g/100 g to 2.71 g/100 g of milk in preterm milk and from 1.48 g/100 g to 2.47 g/100 g in term milk; fat content ranged from 1.27 g/100 g to 6.23 g/100 g of milk in preterm milk and from 1.01 g/100 g to 6.01 g/100 g of milk in term milk.

Conclusion: NIRA can be used as a quick and reliable tool for routine monitoring of macronutrient content of human milk and for devising individualised human milk fortification regimens in the feeding of very premature infants.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

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