Iron, copper and zinc in substitute foods for maternal milk: comparison with infant nutritional requirements

Abstract

Este estudo objetivou investigar os teores de ferro, cobre e zinco de fórmulas infantis para lactentes e leites em pó, disponíveis no mercado, realizando uma análise comparativa entre os teores encontrados, a ingestão diária recomendada (IDR) e a ingestão diária máxima tolerável (IDMT). A determinação dos elementos traço foi realizada por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica. Os teores de ferro, cobre e zinco variaram em uma ampla faixa, dependendo do produto, apresentando-se algumas vezes abaixo da IDR (ferro) e outras acima (zinco), ultrapassando o IDMT, o que compromete o uso confiável destes alimentos a longo prazo, principalmente em dietas monótonas.This study aimed to investigate iron, copper and zinc contents in baby formulas for lactents and powdered milk, conducting a comparative analysis between the observed values, the dietary reference intake (DRI) and the tolerable upper intake level (UL). The determination of these trace elements was performed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Iron, copper and zinc values varied in a wide concentration range, depending on the product. They were sometimes below the DRI (iron) and sometimes above it (zinc), surpassing the UL, compromising the reliable use of these food products in the long run, especially in monotonous diets.Keywords: trace elements, baby formulas for lactents, powdered milk, infant requirements, atomic spectrometry IntroductionExclusive maternal feeding until the child is six months old, and from then on, the inclusion of complementary foods in the child's diet available in the family unit is the procedure recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for children worldwide. 1 This recommendation is based on the knowledge that, until the child is six months old, exclusive feeding on maternal milk is enough to satisfy the child's nutritional requirements, besides favoring protection against diseases. 2 After this age, the inclusion of complementary foods in the child's feeding schedule aims, mainly, to elevate energy and micronutrient quotas, maintaining breast feeding until the child is 12 or 24 months old. [1][2][3] There is evidence that weaning is intense and occurs very precociously. 4 The introduction of complementary food ingestion happens very early in the child's life, and these foods are offered in insufficient quantities to reach nutritional requirements, especially micronutrient requirements. 1 Studies point out that the early offer of milks and baby formulas for lactents are predictors of early weaning. 2 Inadequate complementary food is a major cause of the high prevalence of malnutrition in the developing world. 5 It is observed that, although greater intakes of complementary foods are associated with higher total energy intake, micronutrient intake remains low due to the low micronutrient concentration of these complementary foods. 6 Minerals are micronutrients with an important role in childhood growth and development. 7 Iron, copper and zinc are necessary in daily amounts much lower than 100 mg, Moraes et al. 1725 Vol. 20...

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