Alpha-tocopherol content of breast milk in China.

The alpha-tocopherol content of breast milk was measured in 71 mothers of preterm and term infants in China. The mean alpha-tocopherol content of breast milk was much lower than that reported in developed countries. alpha-Tocopherol levels were higher in colostrum and then decreased in the transition milk. Mothers of preterm infants produced colostrum with a slightly higher alpha-tocopherol content than that of the mothers of term infants. However, alpha-tocopherol levels in transition milk were similar in both groups.