Macronutrient Composition of Colostrum in Mothers with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

• DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2021.0209
• Publication Date: 2022-02-10T17:56:55Z
• Authors: Sabriye Korkut; Aslıhan Köse Çeti...; Şehribanu Işık; Şule Özel; Nilüfer Gökay; Arzu Şahin; Evrim Alyamaç Dizdar
• Keywords: Pediatric Obesity; Milk, Human; Colostrum; Carbohydrates; Infant; Mothers; Nutrients; Diabetes, Gestational; 03 medical and health sciences; Breast Feeding; 0302 clinical medicine; Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Prospective Studies; Child

Background: Infants fed breast milk are known to have lower rates of childhood obesity. However, there is evidence suggesting an increased risk of obesity in infants who receive milk from a diabetic mother. The aim of this study was to investigate the calorie and macronutrient content of colostrum in mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: This prospective, controlled study included mothers who had diagnosis of GDM and a control group of mothers without GDM who delivered at term. Colostrum samples were analyzed for macronutrients (fat, protein, and carbohydrate) and calorie content using a human milk analyzer (Miris, Uppsala, Sweden). Results: A total of 92 colostrum samples were analyzed, 31 in the GDM group and 61 in the non-GDM group. The carbohydrate content of colostrum in the GDM group was higher compared with the non-GDM group (p = 0.004). The calorie, fat, and protein contents of colostrum were similar between the groups (p > 0.05). Multiple regression analysis indicated that having GDM was significantly related to carbohydrate content. Conclusion: The colostrum of GDM mothers had higher carbohydrate content. This might be one of the factors explaining the relationship between diabetic breast milk and infantile obesity.