Impaired Sucking Seen in Infants of Mothers With Gestational Diabetes




NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Dec 27 - Immature sucking patterns are often seen 
in infants born to mothers with insulin-managed gestational diabetes, new 
research indicates. By contrast, infants born to mothers with diet-managed diabetes 
do not display impaired sucking.
As reported in the Journal of Pediatrics for November, the researchers used a 
standard sucking apparatus to examine sucking patterns in 16 term infants 
born to mothers with insulin-managed diabetes, 31 born to mothers with 
diet-controlled diabetes, and 55 born to nondiabetic mothers (controls).
Newborns of insulin-treated mothers displayed significantly fewer bursts and 
sucks, the main components of sucking patterns, than control infants. However, 
other aspects of sucking, such as suck width and maximum pressure, did not 
differ significantly between the groups.
No differences in sucking behavior were noted between newborns of 
diet-managed diabetics and control infants, the investigators found.
The results suggest that newborns of insulin-treated diabetic mothers are 
less neurologically mature than those of healthy mothers, the researchers 
conclude. Diet-managed diabetes is a milder clinical entity than insulin-managed 
diabetes and, therefore, the impact on sucking behavior is probably smaller, they 
add.
J Pediatr 2006;149:640-643.

Nikki Lee RN, MS, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CCE,CIMI
Adjunct Faculty, Union Institute and University, Lactation Program
Film Reviews Editor, Journal of Human Lactation
www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET email list is powered by LISTSERV (R).
There is only one LISTSERV. To learn more, visit:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html