The Placental and Mammary Transfer of Lutein and Zeaxanthin Into the Fetus and the Breast-fed Infant

About one-fourth of preterm infants who weight less than 2 3/4 pounds at birth develop an eye problem. This problem occurs in the retina (back of the eye) and may result in blindness. This eye problem is called the retinopathy of prematurity(ROP). There are two yellow pigments in the retina called lutein and zeaxanthin. These pigments may protect the retina from being damaged by light. They may also protect the retina from being damaged by oxygen. These pigments are transferred from the mother to the baby. Most of this takes place during the last trimester of pregnancy. The situation could be worse if the baby receives formula. Most baby formulas do not contain lutein and zeaxanthin; breast milk does. Another worry is that breast milk may not have enough lutein and zeaxanthin if the mother does not eat enough vegetables and fruits. The purpose of this study is to measure the transfer of lutein and zeaxanthin from the mother to the baby, to measure the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin in breast milk, to find out if taking a lutein supplement will increase the amount of lutein in breast milk and to find out if dietary lutein and zeaxanthin are involved in the development of the retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).