Zamir Ahmad, Muhammad Mustansar, Zafar Ali, Kaukab Sultana, Sadia Amir, Adina Shamsi, Sadia Zafar, Quratul Ain.
Comparison of serum sodium, potassium and urea level in healthy breast fed and non breast fed infants.
J Allama Iqbal Med Coll Nov ;6(4):11-9.

Background: The milk of cows and buffalos is having three times more proteins and 3-4 times more minerals as compared to the human milk. By feeding the milk of cow or buffalo/infant formula the infant is being loaded with more proteins and minerals. The effects of these may not be visible immediately but may have consequences in later life. Objectives: The objective of the present study were to compare Serum Sodium, Potassium, Urea in breastfed and non breastfed infants taking formula or fresh milk. Design: The study was Descriptive and Cross sectional. Place & Duration of Study: The study samples were collected during the months of April and May 2005 at the out patient department of The Children’s Hospital & the Institute of Child Health, Ferozepur Road, Lahore. The bio-chemical analysis was carried in the Bio-Chemistry Laboratory of the Post Graduate Medical Institute, Birdwood Road, Lahore. Materials & Methods: A research instrument and exclusion inclusion criteria were designed. The infants up to the age of 1 to 6 months were selected in three groups, each of sixty infants taking mother’s milk, infant formula and fresh milk. The mothers were requested to participate in the study and after the consent 2 cc venous blood sample was drawn and centrifuged for the separation of serum and stored at -20ºC for further bio-chemical analysis. The stored serum was analyzed for Serum Sodium, Potassium and Urea level Results: The results of this study showed the mean levels of Serum Sodium, Potassium and Urea in breastfed group of infants were significantly low as compared to non breastfed groups of infants. Conclusion: By feeding fresh milk or cheaper partially modified infant formulas the developing system of infants is exposed to high solute load of Sodium, Potassium and Urea in the plasma.

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