Maternal age has more pronounced effect on breast milk retinol and β-carotene content than maternal dietary pattern.

Objective: The effects on breast milk composition of advanced maternal age and maternal dietary habits during pregnancy and lactation have not, to our knowledge, been investigated in southeastern Europe and the Balkans. The aim of this study was to compare the content of retinol and β-carotene in colostrum and mature milk samples obtained from different maternal age (MA) groups and to assess the potential relationship with maternal and demographic characteristics, dietary patterns, and lifestyle habits during pregnancy and lactation.

Methods: Forty-three nursing mothers were divided in two groups according to MA: ≥35 y of age (n = 22) and <35 y of age (n = 21).

Impact of folic acid supplementation on single- and double-stranded RNA degradation in human colostrum and mature milk.

Sufficient intake of folic acid is necessary for normal embryogenesis, fetal, and neonatal development. Folic acid facilitates nucleic acid internalization, and protects cellular DNA from nuclease degradation. Human milk contains enzymes, antimicrobial proteins, and antibodies, along with macrophages, that protect against infections and allergies.

Polyamine Oxidase and Diamine Oxidase Activities in Human Milk during the First Month of Lactation.

Objective: Human milk (HM) is the ideal food for all newborns and infants. Apart from various bioactive compounds, including cytokines, antibodies, hormones, vitamines, it also contains polyamines, such as spermine (Sp), spermidine (Spd) and putrescine (Put).

Aim: The present study investigated polyamine metabolism in colostrum and mature human milk by measuring the polyamine oxidase (PAO) and diamine oxidase (DAO) enzyme activities, which are necessary for polyamine catabolism, as well as by determining the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, the final product of polyamine biodegradation.

[Incidence of lip and palate clefts in children in Nis from 1990 to 2007].

Introduction: Cleft lip and palate is a complex congenital anomaly of the orofacial system in children.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of live-born children with cleft lip and/or palate compared to the total number of children born in the period from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2007.

Methods: Epidemiological investigation was based on the records of live-born children at the Hospital of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of the Clinical Centre Nis.