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Effect of Early Breast Milk Nutrition on Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 in Preterm Infants
Fatma A Alzaree1, Mones M AbuShady1, Mohamed Abdel Atti1
1Department of Child Health, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.
Insights
Immediate breast milk feeding significantly increases serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels in preterm infants. This finding highlights the importance of early breastfeeding for neonatal growth and development.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Pediatric Nutrition
Background:
- Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is crucial for intrauterine growth.
- Preterm infants often exhibit low serum IGF-1 levels post-delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of immediate breast milk feeding on serum IGF-1 in preterm newborns.
- To investigate the relationship between breastfeeding and IGF-1 levels in premature infants.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational cohort study of 60 preterm infants (<32 weeks gestation).
- Infants divided into breast milk feeding (Group A) and formula feeding (Group B) groups.
- Serum IGF-1 measured at birth and at 40 weeks corrected gestational age.
Main Results:
- Group A (breast milk) showed significantly higher mean serum IGF-1 at 40 weeks corrected age compared to Group B (formula).
- In Group A, serum IGF-1 increased significantly from birth to 40 weeks corrected age.
- High birth weight, increased gestational age, and breastfeeding correlated with elevated serum IGF-1 at 40 weeks corrected age.
Conclusions:
- Immediate breast milk feeding is associated with elevated serum IGF-1 in preterm infants.
- Early breastfeeding may support optimal growth and hormonal profiles in premature neonates.
Background:
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is one of the essential intrauterine hormonal mediators of growth, and its serum values are often low after preterm delivery.
Aim:
To evaluate the influence of immediate breast milk feeding on serum IGF-1 in preterm newborns.
Subjects And Methods:
This prospective, observational cohort study included 60 premature infants born < 32 weeks of gestation, divided into group A and B regarding breastfeeding or formula feeding. Growth measurements were taken at birth. The standard deviation of each measurement was calculated. Serum IGF-I was measured one day postnatal and at a time equivalent to 40 weeks of gestation.
Results:
Significant higher level of mean serum IGF-1 was detected in group A than B at postnatal age equivalent to 40 weeks of gestation. In group A, the higher significant level was detected in mean serum IGF-1 at an age equivalent to 40 weeks of gestation than at birth (25.21 ± 6.69 and 20.13 ± 5.46 p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that high birth weight, increased age of gestation and breastfeeding were correlated to the elevated serum level of IGF-1 at a postnatal age corresponding to 40 weeks gestational age.
Conclusion:
Immediate breast milk feeding was accompanied by elevated IGF-1 in the serum of preterm infants.
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