The concentration of some trace elements in human milk from Italy.

The concentration of some trace elements has been measured in samples of breast milk collected from several subjects over a period of about 1-3 months starting 15 days post-partum. A decrease of Zn concentration during the lactation period was observed in all subjects. The marked relation existing between dietary intake and milk content of trace elements is confirmed by the finding that Cs concentration in diet, fresh waters and human milk samples from Latium were one to two orders of magnitude higher than those measured in a small town in the south of Italy. In most subjects Cs, Zn, Rb, Fe concentrations during the same day, and in the same feed, are fairly constant. Larger variations are observed for concentrations of Co, Sc, and Sb.