Prediction of Neonatal Blood Sugar Level from Mother Blood Sugar Level at Banpong Hospital, Ratchaburi Province

Abstract

Ministry of Public Health, Thailand has implemented exclusive breastfeeding policy in every hospital since 1994.  At Ban Pong Hospital, Ratchaburi Province found that mothers and relatives preferred to feeding their newborns with milk formula to breastfeeding in order to avoid inadequate lactation.  This study examined blood sugar levels of 384 mothers and their breastfed neonates.  Research findings revealed that the mean blood sugar levels of the mothers and the neonates were similar at 90.7 - 98.3 percent of the reported values.  The mean blood sugar levels of neonates decreased from the mean blood sugar levels of the mothers at 53.1 - 57.4 percent.  The mean blood sugar level of the neonates at 1, 2 hour were similar at 90.5 - 100.5 percent.  Most of the newborns were normal without any sign of hypoglycemia. 

The results showed strong evidence that exclusive breastfeeding early, often and correctly will almost always prevent hypoglycemia in newborns.  Colostrum and breastfeeding play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of hypoglycemia.  Healthy full-term newborns need no foods or fluids other than colostrums and breastfeeding in the early days after birth.  Support and encouragement of breastfeeding by health care providers should be crucial for healthy newborns.