Blood Galactose and Glucose Levels in Mothers, Cord Blood, and 48-Hour-Old Breast-Fed Full-Term Infants

Abstract

Background: Although galactose is an important component in human lactose, there are few reports of its role in the newborn metabolism. Objective: To determine the relationship of blood galactose and glucose levels in mothers, cord blood, and breast-fed full-term newborn infants. Methods: Maternal and cord vein blood samples were obtained from 27 pregnant women at delivery, and from their breast-fed, full-term newborns 48 h later. Galactose and glucose were determined by HPLC. Statistical analysis used ANOVA and Pearson correlation with p < 0.05. Results: Maternal galactose concentrations (0.08 ± 0.03 mmol/l) were similar to cord blood galactose (0.07 ± 0.03 mmol/l; p = 0.129). However, newborn blood galactose (0.05 ± 0.02 mmol/l) was significantly lower than both cord (p = 0.042) and maternal blood (p = 0.002). Maternal blood glucose levels (4.72 ± 0.86 mmol/l) were higher than cord blood (3.98 ± 0.57 mmol/l; p < 0.001), and cord blood concentrations were higher than newborn blood levels (3.00 ± 0.56 mmol/l; p < 0.001); all values expressed as mean ± SD. Significant correlation was only seen between maternal and cord blood galactose levels (r = 0.67; p < 0.001) and glucose levels (r = 0.38; p = 0.047). Conclusion: The association and similarity between maternal and cord blood galactose levels suggest that the fetus is dependent on maternal galactose. In contrast, the lower galactose levels in newborn infants and a lack of association between both suggest self-regulation and a dependence on galactose ingestion.

Cord-Blood Derived Chemistry Reference Values in Preterm Infants for Sodium, Chloride, Potassium, Glucose, and Creatinine

“…Interestingly, our lower reference interval value of 1.7mmol/L approximated the proposed cut-off for hypoglycemia requiring iv dextrose of <1.8 mmol/L of the Canadian Pediatric Society's Position Statement (24). Cord glucose values in term babies were previously found to be similar to their respective mothers (14) with values of 4.0+/-0.6mmol/L, comparable to our findings of 4.0+/-1.3mmol/L (Table 4) (7). It is not surprising to see lower glucose values in multiples, C/s deliveries and SGA infants, with additive effects (25).…”

“…Cord blood provides an opportunity to assess the blood of infants who moments before were fetuses within the in-utero fluid environment. Reference intervals across preterm gestational ages (GA) have been established for iron status (5), phosphate, calcium, magnesium and alkaline phosphatase (6), and for glucose levels at term (7). Conditions leading to premature birth, maternal and/or pregnancy related conditions such as pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and preeclampsia, small for gestational age (SGA, defined as <10 th percentile) (8), maternal diabetes mellitus (MDM), chorioamnionitis, as well as delivery mode, multiple status, and receipt of antenatal corticosteroids (ANCS) may influence cord blood values, thus give insight into pathophysiology, and may help appropriately understand fluid and electrolyte needs of the neonate.…”

d-Galactose Decreases Anion Exchange Capability through Band 3 Protein in Human Erythrocytes

“…These authors consider d-Gal concentrations comprised in a range including both physiological and pathological values. According to other authors, the normal range in human healthy adults corresponds to 0.000012 mM, which is lower than what measured in newborn plasma [3,4]. On this basis, the aim of the present investigation was to verify the effect of d-Gal at high concentrations (0.1 or 10 mM) in in vitro human erythrocytes model.…”

“…d -Galactose ( d -Gal) is a monosaccharide sugar, whose metabolism is connected to glucose metabolism [ 1 ]. In physiological conditions, it is rapidly metabolized to glucose through specific enzymes and driven from peripheral blood to glycolysis pathway to give energy to the cell [ 2 ], keeping thus plasma d -Gal levels very low (plasmatic concentration range between 0.00008 and 0.00018 mM) [ 3 , 4 ]. Abnormally accumulated d -Gal [ 5 , 6 ], associated to galactosemia, can be directly oxidized by galactose oxidase to produce hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) or, alternatively, can start a non-enzymatic glycation reactions with free amino acid (mainly lysine and arginine) to form advanced glycation end products (AGEs) [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

<p>Screening for galactosemia: is there a place for it?</p>

“…Maternal and cord blood contain the same amount of galactose 49. It is not clear, however, whether the galactose in the milked cord of the newborn during delivery is related to the very early presentation of classic galactosemia.…”