This was the lead article today on MD/LINX Ob/Gyn newsletter. It needs
to be Wiessengerized but otherwise looks like it could prove useful in
the ongoing hypoglycemia discussions..

Dawn Kersula in Vermont

Effects of early breastfeeding on neonatal glucose levels of term
infants born to women with gestational diabetes

Authors: Chertok, I. R. A.1; Raz, I.2; Shoham, I.2; Haddad, H.2; Wiznitzer, A.2

Source: Journal of Human Nutrition & Dietetics, Volume 22, Number 2,
April 2009 , pp. 166-169(4)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing



Abstract:

Background:

Infants born to diabetic women are at higher risk for hypoglycaemia
related to hyperinsulinism in response to maternal hyperglycaemia
during pregnancy. As such, recommendations to prevent neonatal
hypoglycaemia include infant feeding in the early postpartum period.
The present study aimed to examine the effect of early breastfeeding
and type of nutrition used for the first feed (human milk or formula)
on glucose levels in infants born to women with gestational diabetes.
Methods:

The prospective pilot study of 84 infants born to gestational diabetic
women examined the glycaemic levels of infants who were breastfed in
the delivery room compared to glycaemic levels of those who were not.
The study also compared the glycaemic levels of infants who breastfed
with those who received formula for their first feed. Results:

Infants who were breastfed in the delivery room had a significantly
lower rate of borderline hypoglycaemia than those who were not
breastfed in the early postpartum period (10% versus 28%; Fisher's
exact test., P = 0.05,). Likewise, infants breastfed in the delivery
room had significantly higher mean blood glucose level compared to
infants who were not breastfed in the delivery room (3.17 versus 2.86
mmol L−1, P = 0.03). Additionally, breastfed infants had a
significantly higher mean blood glucose level compared to those who
were formula fed for their first feed (3.20 versus 2.68 mmol L−1, P =
0.002). Conclusions:

Early breastfeeding may facilitate glycaemic stability in infants born
to women with gestational diabetes.

Keywords: breastfeeding; gestational diabetes; infant hypoglycaemia

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-277X.2008.00921.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Health Promotion, West Virginia
University, Morgantown, WV, USA 2: Soroka University Medical Center,
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beersheva, Israel

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