Measuring Calcium Content of Human Milk on a Microfluidic Chip

Current standard human milk analyzers based on near-infrared analysis cannot detect calcium concentration, important for bone growth of low birth weight infants (LBWI). The presented microfluidic chip provides a simple colorimetric determination of calcium concentration within minutes, requiring a sample volume of only 5 μL. This fast and simple device is the basis for further clinical investigations on the influence of calcium content in human milk, leading to an increased knowledge and optimization of LBWI nutrition.