Metabolism of carbohydrates in low birth weight newborns at different types of feeding

Context: Preterm infants need plenty of energy and nutrients supplied by carbohydrates, in particular glucose. Aims: The aim was to study the associations of the carbohydrate content in blood and in feces with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and different types of feeding in low birth weight (LBW) preterm infants. Subjects and Methods: This prospective study included 173 preterm infants with LBW, including those with IUGR. The dynamic monitoring of carbohydrates indicators in blood and feces, as well as the analysis of these parameters depending on the birth weight and type of feeding, have been performed. Results: Infants with LBW exhibited a higher excretion of carbohydrates with feces in preterm infants who received breast milk by the end of the neonatal period. The low level of glycemia in newborns during breastfeeding is explained by the fact that with this type of feeding the use of glucose is more intensive. Conclusions: LBW preterm infants had an increased level of carbohydrates in feces, which implied an enzymatic insufficiency that has persisted throughout the observation period. However, the level of excretion depended, first of all, on the type of feeding of the preterm infants. The level of hypoglycemia was significantly associated with the occurrence of IUGR.