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The influence of feeding regimens on endogenous digoxin-like immunoreactive substance concentrations in infants
Z Kurugöl1, R Ozyürek, E Levent
1Department of Pediatrics and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
Insights
Artificial infant nutrition is linked to higher serum digoxin-like immunoreactive substance (DLIS) levels. This suggests a potential protective mechanism in response to formula or cow's milk feeding in infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Nutrition
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Serum digoxin-like immunoreactive substance (DLIS) is an endogenous compound with potential physiological roles.
- Infant feeding regimens, including breast milk and artificial formulas, can influence metabolic and hormonal profiles.
- Understanding DLIS variations in infants is crucial for assessing physiological responses to different diets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum DLIS levels in healthy term infants aged 1-6 months.
- To examine the relationship between feeding regimen (breast milk, formula, mixed) and serum DLIS concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Study included 60 healthy term infants aged 1-6 months.
- Infants were divided into three groups based on feeding: exclusive breast milk, formula/cow's milk, and formula/cow's milk with breast milk supplement.
- Serum DLIS concentrations were measured and compared across the feeding groups.
Main Results:
- Mean serum DLIS levels were significantly higher in infants fed artificial nutrients (formula/cow's milk) compared to exclusively breastfed infants (p < 0.05).
- No significant difference in DLIS levels was observed between infants fed formula/cow's milk and those on a mixed diet.
- The elevated DLIS levels in artificially fed infants suggest a physiological response to the diet.
Conclusions:
- Artificial nutrients (formula, cow's milk) may lead to increased endogenous DLIS levels in infants.
- The increase in DLIS may represent a protective mechanism to counteract potential volume expansion associated with artificial feeding.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise role of DLIS in infant physiology and its modulation by diet.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate serum digoxin-like immunoreactive substance (DLIS) levels in 60 healthy term infants when they reached 1-6 months of age with regard to feeding regimen. Group I consisted of 30 infants fed exclusively on breast milk. Groups II and III each consisted of 15 infants fed on formula and cow's milk, and on formula and cow's milk supplemented by breast milk, respectively. Mean serum DLIS concentrations were 0.03 +/- 0.05, 0.18 +/- 0.09 and 0.15 +/- 0.09 ng/ml in groups I-III, respectively. The difference between the DLIS levels in groups II and III was not significant. Serum DLIS levels of infants in groups II and III, on the other hand, were significantly higher than in group I (p < 0.05). These findings were interpreted to suggest that artificial nutrients may cause volume expansion and an increase in endogenous DLIS levels. The latter response is possibly a protective mechanism to decrease volume expansion in groups II and III.