Pyridoxine supplementation of lactating mothers: relation to maternal nutrition status and vitamin B-6 concentrations in milk

Article Abstract:

Vitamin B-6, which is also known as pyridoxine or pyridoxal phosphate (PLP), is crucial for development of the nervous system in infants. The infant's requirements for vitamin B-6 have usually been related to the amount in human milk as a standard, yet studies have shown that the amount in breast milk varies depending on the amount in the mother's diet. However, this is not well understood, and so the relationships among pyridoxine supplementation, maternal blood levels of the vitamin, and levels of the vitamin in breast milk were examined. The study began at delivery. Forty-seven women were divided into three groups, according to their prenatal dose of vitamin B-6 (less than or equal to 2.5, 4.0, or at least 10 milligrams per day), and were divided during lactation into four groups according to dose of the postnatal supplement (2.5, 4.0, 7.5, or 10 milligrams per day). The concentrations of PLP in blood from the mother and from the umbilical cord were significantly correlated with the amount of vitamin B-6 taken prenatally. During lactation, supplementation was required, as few subjects met their daily requirements for B-6 by diet alone. The levels of B-6 in milk at one month postpartum were relatively low regardless of supplementation. Correlations between dose of vitamin B-6 taken and PLP serum levels were observable during lactation, and were strongest after six months of lactation. Vitamin B-6 levels in milk increased during lactation, and correlated strongly with serum levels of PLP. A few hours after taking B-6 supplements, the peak levels of the vitamin were significantly lower for women taking 2.5 mg compared with all other doses, and the peak level was reached faster in women taking the higher doses of B-6. The results show that maternal nutritional status is improved by vitamin B-6 supplementation, and dose levels between 2.5 and 4.0 mg/day yielded plasma levels similar to those in nonlactating women. Further study of the relationship between vitamin B-6 supplementation and infant health status needs to be done. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation

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A longitudinal study of pyridoxine and zinc supplementation of lactating women

Article Abstract:

There has been a great resurgence of breast-feeding in the United States; more women are breast-feeding their babies, and the average duration of breast-feeding has increased. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast milk as the sole source of nutrition for the first four to six months of life. For this reason, it is important to understand the relationship between the nutrition of the lactating mother and the quality of her milk. Several studies have examined the relationship between zinc supplements taken by the mother and the levels of zinc in her milk, but the results have been inconsistent. Because zinc, an essential mineral, may be influenced by the amount of vitamin B-6 consumed, a study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of zinc supplements taken with supplements of vitamin B-6. Forty women were all given multi-vitamin supplements which they took for the nine-month duration of the study; supplementation began the day after delivery. The vitamins were identical in all ways except for content of vitamin B-6 (as pyridoxine HCl) and zinc. Twenty women received 0.5 milligrams (mg) pyridoxine HCl per day and the other 20 received 4.0 mg per day. Within each of these groups, half, or 10 women, received no zinc and half took 25 mg zinc oxide. It was found that the women receiving the larger dose of vitamin B-6 also had a greater amount of vitamin B-6 in their milk. However, the quantity of vitamin B-6 had no influence on the quantity of zinc in the milk, nor was there any influence of the B-6 on the zinc in the mother's blood plasma or red blood cells. The presence or absence of zinc in the vitamin supplement had no influence on the zinc in the mother's plasma, red blood cells, or milk. The results suggest that the level of zinc in the mother's milk is closely regulated and does not depend upon variations in the mother's intake of zinc. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Zinc, Zinc (Metal)

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Dietary intake of total and glycosylated vitamin B-6 and the vitamin B-6 nutritional status of unsupplemented lactating women and their infants

Article Abstract:

The nutrient composition of breast milk is of interest because it may be the sole source of nutrition for infants during the first months of life; exclusive breastfeeding has been recommended for the first four to six months. While the vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) content of human milk has been analyzed, the interrelationships among the mother's diet, milk levels, and blood and urine levels have not been thoroughly evaluated. Thirty healthy women who were breastfeeding exclusively and did not take vitamin B-6 supplements participated. For three days they collected milk and urine samples, recorded everything they ate, and saved samples of all the foods they consumed. Blood samples were obtained from mothers and infants, and infant size was measured. Based on these data, vitamin B-6 intake of the lactating women appeared adequate, even though average intake was well below the RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance). Infants appeared to be growing well for their age. The data available to date suggests, but does not firmly establish, that vitamin B-6 supplements are not needed by healthy lactating women. The bioavailability (ease of absorption) of different forms of vitamin B-6 was also evaluated; the form that is least efficiently absorbed is found primarily in plant foods. But maternal blood and urine vitamin B-6 levels did not appear to be affected by the amount of this form of the vitamin consumed; this may be because subjects who ate more of the low-bioavailability form also ate more of the other forms of vitamin B-6.

Prevention, Vitamin B6 deficiency, Pyridoxine deficiency

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