The effect of holothuria scabra on the level of docosahexaenoic acid in breast milk with preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the research was to determine the giving of Holothuria scabra on the level of Docoxahexaenoic Acid (DHA) of breast milk with preterm chilbirth.

METHODS: The research was a quasi experimental study with control group design. The samples were postpartum mothers with preterm childbirth consisted of 40 people divided into two groups. Postpartum mothers given Holothuria scabra capsule were intervention group and the postpartum mothers not given Holothuria scabra were control group. The sample of mother's milk of pretest of each group was taken in the seventh day and seven day later the sample was taken 3cc. Intervention was done for 7 days per sample with 3 times dosage consisted of 2 capsules per day. The sample of breast milk was examined with Human DHA ELISA kit. The data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon test.

RESULTS: The results of the research indicated the difference of DHA level between intervention group and control group with a value of p=value 0.006. After the intervention, the average increase was 187.02μg/mL for intervention group and 7.05μg/mL for control group with a value of 1151.04μg/mL.