Comparison of blood glucose levels in breastfed vs. formula-fed low birth weight infants

• Main Authors: Eli Tua Pangaribuan (Author), Bugis M. Lubis (Author), Pertin Sianturi (Author), Emil Azlin (Author), Guslihan D. Tjipta (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Indonesian Pediatric Society Publishing House, 2009-03-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 0030-9311; 2338-476X; 10.14238/pi49.1.2009.15-9
• Keywords: low birth weight; hypoglycemia; full-term; breastfeeding; formula-feeding; Medicine; R; Pediatrics; RJ1-570
• Source: Paediatrica Indonesiana, Vol 49, Iss 1, Pp 15-9 (2009)

Background Low birth weight infants are defined as babies with birth weight less than 2500 grams. Low birth weight infants tend to suffer from hypoglycemia compared to full term infants. The incidence of hypoglycemia in newborns varies between 1.3 and 3 per 1000 live births. Blood glucose levels in formula-fed infants are lower than those in breastfed infants. Objective To compare blood glucose levels in breastfed and formula-fed low birth weight infants. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted between February 2007 and June 2007 at Pirngadi and H. Adam Malik General Hospital in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. All low birth weight babies were classified into two groups: the breastfed and formula-fed. Each group consisted of 32 infants. Capillary blood was collected using heel pricks at 1, 48, and 72 hours after birth, and plasma glucose was evaluated using the Glucotrend2 blood glucose test. Results The breastfed low birth weight infants had significantly higher blood glucose levels (P=0.002) than formula-fed low birth weight infants. Mode of delivery was related to blood glucose level. Infant delivered by caesarean section had significantly different blood glucose levels at 1 hour (P=0.005) and 72 hours after birth (P=0.027). The full-term infants had significantly higher blood glucose level (P=0.007) than the small for gestational age infants. Conclusions Generally, low birth weight infants have hypoglycemia after first hour of delivery. Breastfed low birth weight infants have higher blood glucose levels than formula-fed low birth weight infants.