Is there a Relationship between Metabolic Control and Glucose Concentration in Breast Milk of Type 1 (Insulin-Dependent) Diabetic Mothers?

Abstract

We studied glucose concentration of breast milk of nursing diabetic mothers and its possible relationship to the quality of metabolic control. Eleven Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic mothers and 11 age-matched control subjects were included in the study. Although a near-normoglycemic control of diabetic mothers was accomplished by intensified insulin treatment, the HbA1 value was significantly higher in comparison to non-diabetic mothers (8.1 +/- 0.9% versus 6.2 +/- 0.5%; p less than 0.01). Regardless of this, the glucose concentration of breast milk did not differ between diabetic mothers and that of non-diabetic women (0.68 +/- 0.50 mmol/l versus 0.66 +/- 0.55 mmol/l). No correlation exists between glucose concentration of breast milk and relevant blood glucose concentration as well as glycosylated haemoglobin A1 of the mother. In conclusion, our data support the view that breast-feeding of infants of diabetic mothers is not associated with an increased offer of glucose and thus not being of importance as a possible mechanism to sustain a hyperinsulinemic state in the newborns.

Glucose and Insulin Levels are Increased in Obese and Overweight Mothers’ Breast-Milk

“…Those results are relevant to the interpretation of the present study's results. Although, unlike Ratzman et al [19], we were unable to include blood glucose analysis to substantiate our find-ings on breast-milk, it is reasonable to assume that the conclusions offered by Ratzman et al [19] support our conjecture that high BMI may be a contributing factor that is responsible for the higher levels of glucose and insulin found in breast-milk. Further support for this assertion may be drawn from our finding that it seems unlikely that high glucose and insulin found in breast-milk were due to high carbohydrate consumption by mothers immediately prior to milk sample collection since there were no differences between groups on these variables.…”

“…A larger sample may have produced greater power and possibly different outcomes. Ratzman et al [19] studied glucose concentration in breast-milk of 11 nursing diabetic mothers and 11 aged-matched control subjects. This study revealed that plasma glucose concentrations and glycosylated hemoglobin A1 had no effect on glucose concentrations in breast-milk.…”