Vitamin B6- and protein concentrations in breast milk from mothers of preterm and term infants.

The vitamin B6 and protein composition of milk obtained during the first 75 days postpartum from 16 mothers delivering preterm and 24 mothers delivering at term was determined. Both groups of mothers had supplemental intake of 5 mg vitamin B6 beginning with the 2nd trimester of gestation but not during lactation. Milk from mothers delivering preterm contained significantly higher concentrations of vitamin B6 and protein than milk from mothers delivering at term. Vitamin B6-protein relationship, however, was significantly lower in milk from mothers delivering preterm than in milk from mothers delivering term. Both, concentrations of vitamin B6 and protein, and vitamin B6-protein ratio decreased with increasing time of lactation. Supplemental vitamin B6 intake during pregnancy is made responsible for this phenomenon. Milk of mothers with preterm infants is adequate to meet the maintainance requirements for vitamin B6 and protein for a premature infant.