Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of large amounts of whole cow's milk intake on serum levels of minerals and lipids. Subjects were normal infants who were brought to the pediatric hospital for vaccination at the age of 7-26 months after birth, living in Eumsung-Choongbuk area. The serum concentrations of the imnerals(calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper), lipids and fatty acids composition were analyzed in 38 infants which consumed large amount of whole cow's milk(over 700ml/day). The results obtained are summarized as follows : 1) The mean levels of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the serum of the total subjects were 7.56+/-0.51mg/dl, 11.12+/-0.72mg/dl and 1.62+/-0.13mg/dl respectively. The serum concentrations of iron, zinc and copper in total subjects averaged 72.42+/-1.62 microgram/dl, 76.29+/-3. 62 microgram/dl and 86.44+/-2.98 microgram/dl respectively. 2) The mean serum concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL in the total number of subjects were 96.84+/-9.22mg/dl, 133.45+/-6.30mg/dl, 32.79+/-1.77mg/dl and 81.29+/-4.81mg/dl respectively. 3) The average percentages of SFA, MUFA and PUFA inth total serum fatty acids were 38.98+/-2.42%, 25.82+/-0.98% and 37.30+/-1.09% respectively and the mean omega6/omega3 fatty acids ratio was 13.48. In general, the levels of serum minerals and omega3 fatty acid composition in the subjects of this study, who were whole cow's milk fed infants were lower than those reported in breast milk or formula fed infants. Therefore, the intake of large amount of whole cow's milk in the weani ng period should be controlled and adequate for the infant's nutritional status.