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Calcium homeostasis in the first days of life in relation to feeding
Insights
Early infant feeding impacts calcium levels. Breastfeeding (BF) infants had higher serum calcium than formula-fed (F) infants, affecting calcium homeostasis and hormone regulation.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Neonatal calcium homeostasis is critical for infant health.
- Early feeding practices can influence mineral metabolism and hormonal responses in newborns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of early breastfeeding (BF) versus formula feeding (F) on serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcitonin, and parathyroid hormone levels in term newborns.
- To understand how different feeding strategies impact calcium regulation during the first 168 hours of life.
Main Methods:
- Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcitonin, and parathyroid hormone were measured in term infants.
- Infants were randomly assigned to either breast feeding (BF) only or early formula feeding (F).
- Measurements were taken during the first 168 hours of life.
Main Results:
- Serum calcium levels were significantly lower at 48 and 72 hours in the formula-fed (F) group compared to the breastfed (BF) group.
- Serum phosphorus levels were significantly higher at 48 hours in the F group versus the BF group.
- Serum calcitonin and parathyroid hormone levels showed significantly higher values at 72 hours in the F group compared to the BF group.
Conclusions:
- Early feeding choices significantly affect neonatal calcium homeostasis.
- Differences in feeding impact the secretion of hormones regulating serum calcium levels in newborns.
Abstract:
Determinations of serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), calcitonin (CT) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were carried out in full term newborn infants during the first 168 h of life. The infants were randomly assigned to two different diets: glucose and breast feeding (BF) only or early formula feeding (F). The Ca serum levels decreased from birth to the 24th h; after that time they increased until the 72nd h. The values of serum Ca at the 48th and 72nd h were significantly lower in the F than in the BF group. In contrast, the P serum levels increased from birth to the 48th h and then they decreased; the values of serum P at the 48th h were significantly higher in F than in the BF group. The CT serum levels increased from birth to the 24th h and then they decreased. No difference between the F and BF groups was found during the first 48 h, while at the 72nd h the F group demonstrated significantly higher values of serum CT. PTH serum levels also increased from birth to the 24th h with significantly higher values at the 72nd h in the F group. The results of this investigation demonstrate that the difference in feeding in the first hours of life affects the calcium homeostasis and the secretion of hormones involved in the regulation of serum Ca levels.