Estimated biological variation of the mature human milk fatty acid composition

We estimated the biological variation (CVbiol) of 28 fatty acids (FA) in 465 mature human milk samples from The Netherlands, Caribbean, Jerusalem, Tanzania and Pakistan, by using data from the observed variation (CVobs) and analytical variation (CVanal). CVbiol of the various regions was remarkably similar. The average CVbiol of 455 samples, Pakistan excluded, ranged from 12.7% for 16:0 and 18.9% for 18:1omega9 to 68% for 22:6omega3 and about 100% for 20:5omega3. Those of 20:4omega6,18:2omega6 and 18:3omega3 were 28.0, 33.0 and 37.3%, respectively. Because of the large CVbiol and the many dietary changes in recent history, it seems impossible to consider the present human milk FA composition as the 'gold standard' for infant formula. Optimal human milk FA composition should rather derive from populations that consume traditional diets or from the scientific data that show the function of the individual FAs in neonatal development. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.