Melamine in breast milk

Abstract

In this study, the concentration of melamine in breast milk and its relation to maternal body mass index is determined. Such relevant worldwide data is missing. Melamine concentration in the breast milk of 77 healthy mothers in Ankara, Turkey, was analyzed by HPLC in accordance with the body mass index (BMI) of the mothers. In 20.78% of the breast milk samples, the concentration of melamine was found to be between 10.09 and 76.43 ng L⁻¹, values which are below the limits set by the WHO, CAC and EU authorities. No significant effect of BMI on melamine concentration was found (p > 0.05). These data provide preliminary evidence suggesting that the presence of trace amounts of melamine in breast milk is unlikely to be a significant health concern and constitutes a basis for meta-analysis in the future.