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.