Pharmacokinetics of Thiamine in Breastfeeding Mothers and Infants

Thiamine deficiency causes beriberi and is common in parts of rural Cambodia, where it appears to be a leading cause of infant death. The change in maternal and infant thiamine level after administration of thiamine to either Cambodian mothers or their infants is unknown. Normal human breast milk thiamine levels in thiamine-replete mothers are poorly characterized. The aim of this study is to determine if thiamine administered to nursing Cambodian mothers normalizes maternal and infant thiamine levels. Levels will also be obtained in nursing Caucasian mothers residing in the United States.