Reference Values for B Vitamins in Human Milk: The Mothers, Infants and Lactation Quality (MILQ) Study.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Multi-center descriptive cohort study establishing normative reference values without a comparative control group.
PubMed 41167833 · doi:10.1016/j.advnut.2025.100500
What was done
Human milk samples from well-nourished mothers during the first 8.5 months of lactation were analyzed from the MILQ and early-MILQ studies conducted across four countries (Bangladesh, Brazil, Denmark, and The Gambia). Multiple B vitamins (B2, B3, pantothenic acid, B6, biotin) and choline were measured using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), vitamin B1 via high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, and vitamin B12 by competitive chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay. Measured concentrations and estimated total daily median infant intakes from 1 to 6 months of lactation were compared against Institute of Medicine (IOM) reference concentrations and Adequate Intakes (AIs).
What was found
Compared to concentrations used by the IOM, MILQ study estimates were: - Substantially lower (<60% of IOM concentrations) for vitamins B1, B2, and B6. - Lower to equivalent (60% to 100% of IOM concentrations) for vitamin B3, vitamin B12, and choline. - Consistent or slightly higher (100% to 125% of IOM concentrations) for pantothenic acid and biotin. Total daily median infant intakes from 1 to 6 months were: - 29% to 45% of IOM AIs for vitamins B1 and B2. - 60% to 75% of IOM AIs for vitamins B3, B6, B12, and choline. - 118% to 128% of IOM AIs for pantothenic acid and biotin.
Why it matters
This study provides updated, standardized global reference values for B vitamins in human milk, indicating that existing IOM infant intake recommendations for most B vitamins may overestimate typical physiologic concentrations in healthy lactating populations.
Limits
The abstract does not state the total sample size (n), absolute concentration values, or confidence intervals. Clinical outcomes in infants and specific maternal dietary intakes or supplement usage are not reported in the abstract.
Cited by
- partial Human breast milk contains vitamin D and all eight B vitamins derived from the mother's microbiome.