Zinc levels in milk are usually adequate.  Like iron, the levels may
seem low, if we are taking formula as a model (actually formula has too
much zinc now, because babies fed with them not uncommonly got
acrodermatitis enteropathica), but absorption is very efficient.
However, very occasionally, in a baby born *prematurely*, there is a
risk of AE who is breastfed only.  It was thought that breastfed babies
did not get AE, but there have been a few cases reports in premature
babies.  There has also been concern about increased zinc loss in
premature babies who received breastmilk diluters.

I am not sure what the value of measuring the zinc levels in the milk
would be.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC