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

  • Eli Tua Pangaribuan
  • Bugis M. Lubis
  • Pertin Sianturi
  • Emil Azlin
  • Guslihan D. Tjipta
Keywords: low birth weight, hypoglycemia, full-term, breastfeeding, formula-feeding

Abstract

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.

Author Biographies

Eli Tua Pangaribuan
Department  of  Child Health, Medical School, University of
North Sumatera,  H.  Adam Malik Hospital, Medan, Indonesia.
Bugis M. Lubis
Department  of  Child Health, Medical School, University of
North Sumatera,  H.  Adam Malik Hospital, Medan, Indonesia.
Pertin Sianturi
Department  of  Child Health, Medical School, University of
North Sumatera,  H.  Adam Malik Hospital, Medan, Indonesia.
Emil Azlin
Department  of  Child Health, Medical School, University of
North Sumatera,  H.  Adam Malik Hospital, Medan, Indonesia.
Guslihan D. Tjipta
Department  of  Child Health, Medical School, University of
North Sumatera,  H.  Adam Malik Hospital, Medan, Indonesia.

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Published
2009-03-01
How to Cite
1.
Pangaribuan E, Lubis B, Sianturi P, Azlin E, Tjipta G. Comparison of blood glucose levels in breastfed vs. formula-fed low birth weight infants. PI [Internet]. 1Mar.2009 [cited 29Mar.2024];49(1):15-. Available from: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/450
Section
Articles
Received 2016-09-05
Accepted 2016-09-05
Published 2009-03-01