Low Docosahexaenoic Acid in the Diet and Milk of American Indian Women in New Mexico

A recent finding of low levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the milk of lactating Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women in New Mexico prompted a study of the DHA content of the breast milk and diets of American Indian women in the state. Nineteen urban American Indian women (18 to 40 years) who had been lactating for 1 to 6 months and who were attending clinics at the University of New Mexico Hospital were enrolled in a cross-sectional study that was conducted between June 2005 and February 2009. Descriptive statistics and correlations were performed. The mean fat content of the breast milk was 4.67±1.9 g/dL and the mean DHA proportion of the milk fat was 0.097%±0.035%, which is a low value relative to international norms. The low DHA content of the milk could be accounted for by the women's low dietary intake of DHA (median=30 mg). The DHA percentage in the women's milk fat was positively correlated with dietary intake of DHA (r=0.67; P<0.001). This study shows that the DHA content of the breast milk of urban American Indian women attending clinics at a university hospital in New Mexico is well below levels widely acknowledged as being healthful for infants who rely mainly on breast milk for their supply of DHA.