Nutrient and bacterial contents of infants' bottle feeds

ABSTRACT

There is indirect evidence that infants' bottle feeds in Jamaica may be overdialuted. Infantile gastroenteritis is frequent and it has been suggested that a casual factor may be the inadequate sterilisation of bottles. The aim of ths study was to determine the nutrient contents of bottle feeds of Kingston infants aged 6-23 months and to assess the extent of bacterial contamination. The feeds analysed were either milk based or porridges. 151 samples were collected from three clinics and analysed for (1) protein, by micro-Kjeldahl method; (2) energy by comb calorimetry and (3) sodium and potassium by flame photometry. 101 samples were analyses for coliform bacterial contamination by use of Oxoid dip slides. The majority of the samples had protein contents which were within the normal range. The total solids and energy contents of the milk feeds were frequently high because of sugar added in preparation but the energy and solid contents of porridges were low. The milk feeds had normal sodium and low potassium concentrations, but porridges had high sodium concentrations due to addition of salt during preparation. 64 percent of the samples were highly contaminated by coliform baceria, although the majority of mothers reported having adequate facilities for proper feed preparation and sterilisation. It could be concluded that most mothers who attend child welfare clinics are preparing milk formulae with the correct protein content but with high energy content, porridges which are too dilute and have too much salt added, and bottle feeds are generally not sterile (Summary)