Objective:

To compare the concentrations of trace elements like copper and zinc present in breast, cow's and goat's milk.

Methods:

Descriptive, cross sectional study. Samples of breast milk were collected from healthy lactating mothers (91 women) who attended a maternal and children health center in Maracaibo city, Venezuela. Mothers were selected prior informed consent who met the inclusion criteria. The concentrations of the studied trace elements were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with flame.

Results:

In the analysis of the human milk´s sample, there were found concentrations of Cu (0.290 ± 0.04 mg/L) and concentrations of Zn (1.580 ± 0.35 mg/L). These levels are considered acceptable according to the permitted intake of trace elements and according to the literature, those are higher in goat milk´s samples, while concentrations of Zn in both milks (goat and cow), registered by other specialists were higher than in the human milk´s of the present study.

Conclusions:

The concentrations of copper and zinc found in breast milk are the recommended daily intake for the development and maturity of the central nervous system of the newborns.

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