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Hunger behaviour contributes to early nutritional homeostasis
G Marchini1, B Persson, V Berggren
1Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|August 1, 1998
Summary
Newborns experience weight loss and metabolic shifts in the first few days of life, with feeding behavior adjusting to maintain nutritional balance. Breastfeeding on demand supports this homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Infant nutrition
- Metabolic adaptation
Background:
- Understanding nutritional homeostasis in newborns is crucial for infant health.
- Early life metabolic changes impact infant well-being and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe nutritional homeostasis in exclusively breastfed infants during the first five days of life.
- To investigate the relationship between infant nutrition and feeding behavior.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional measurements of body weight, blood glucose, plasma insulin, IGF-I, IGFBP-1, FFA, glycerol, ketone, and lactate.
- Timing of feeding intervals to assess feeding behavior.
Main Results:
- Infants experienced a maximal weight loss of 5.8% by day 2, with inhibited anabolic hormones and increased fat mobilization/ketogenesis.
- Feeding intervals shortened between days 1 and 2.
- Weight gain began by day 3, restoring fuel stores and anabolic status.
- Weight loss >10% led to starvation indicators and shorter feeding intervals.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding on demand supports nutritional balance, with increased feeding drive when weight loss is <6%.
- Significant weight loss (>10%) may trigger hunger due to reduced fuel availability.