Haematological Data and Milk Iron in Malaysian Women

Abstract

Summary Breast milk iron concentrations from Malaysian women taken on the second postpartum day were comparable with those reported from Finland. The present study did not find any correlation between the total iron‐binding capacity (TIBC) of milk whey, presumed to be rich in lactoferrin, and the whole milk iron concentrations. On the average, about 30% of the whey iron‐binding proteins were saturated with iron. Again, the correlation between the milk iron values and plasma iron or plasma TIBC is not statistically proven. There were no significant differences in the haemoglobin, haematocrit, reticulocyte count, plasma iron and whey TIBC obtained from Malaysian parturient women of the 3 major ethnic groups, viz. Chinese, Malays and Indians. However, the plasma TIBC was significantly lower in Malay women and the milk iron content lower in Chinese women.