THE EFFECTS OF EARLY AND LATE FEEDING OF INTRA-UTERINE FETALLY MALNOURISHED (IUM) INFANTS

Abstract

The effects of early versus late feeding were evaluated in 28 infants with intra-uterine fetal malnutrition (IUM). The criteria for IUM include: (1) birth weight below the 10th percentile of the Colorado's intra-uterine growth chart, (2) body length longer than expected for weight, and (3) signs of postmaturity described by Clifford. In 13 IUM infants whose birth weights exceeded 2,040 gm, the blood glucose levels, acid-base status, and calcium and magnesium values were comparable to those of 10 nonmalnourished control infants. Early (4 hours) or late (24 hours after birth) oral feeding did not alter their values during the first 48 hours of life. In 15 IUM infants who weighed less than 2,040 gm at birth, 3 of 9 late-fed infants (24 hours) developed symptomatic hypoglycemia, while none of 6 early-fed infants (4 hours) developed such difficulty. The blood glucose values at 48 and 72 hours of age and response to glucagonepinephrine tolerance tests at 24 hours of life were significantly higher in the early-fed group. These observations suggest that the early feeding of infants with IUM, and birth weight below 2,040 gm may enhance glucose homeostasis in early neonatal life and prevent neonatal symptomatic hypoglycemia.