Macronutrient Composition of Colostrum in Mothers with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Infants fed breast milk are known to have lower rates of childhood obesity. However, there is evidence suggesting an increased risk of obesity in infants who receive milk from a diabetic mother. The aim of this study was to investigate the calorie and macronutrient content of colostrum in mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This prospective, controlled study included mothers who had diagnosis of GDM and a control group of mothers without GDM who delivered at term. Colostrum samples were analyzed for macronutrients (fat, protein, and carbohydrate) and calorie content using a human milk analyzer (Miris, Uppsala, Sweden). A total of 92 colostrum samples were analyzed, 31 in the GDM group and 61 in the non-GDM group. The carbohydrate content of colostrum in the GDM group was higher compared with the non-GDM group (p = 0.004). The calorie, fat, and protein contents of colostrum were similar between the groups (p > 0.05). Multiple regression analysis indicated that having GDM was significantly related to carbohydrate content. The colostrum of GDM mothers had higher carbohydrate content. This might be one of the factors explaining the relationship between diabetic breast milk and infantile obesity.