Abstract:

Objective   To investigate the effects of exclusive breastfeeding postpartum on the glucose, lipid metabolism and body composition of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods   80 cases of women with GDM were divided into the exclusive breastfeeding group and the mixed feeding group according to the postpartum feeding patterns. Oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT), fasting serum lipids and insulin were examined prepartum and on the 42nd day postpartum; body composition was examined on the first and the 42nd day postpartum. Results   After 42 days lactation, 58 cases finished the research (30 in the exclusive breastfeeding group, 28 in the mixed feeding group). In the exclusive breastfeeding group, OGTT blood glucose, insulin, TC and LDL significantly decreased after 42 days lactation (P<0.05), accompanied by the increase in ISI and basal metabolism (P<0.01) and decrease in visceral fat (P<0.05). In the mixed feeding group, the FBG and 2hPG decreased (P<0.05), but the other indexes showed no obvious change (P>0.05). Compared with those of the mixed feeding group, the exclusive breastfeeding group’s FBG, insulin and serum lipid were significantly lower (P<0.05), ISI was significantly higher (P<0.01), of body composition, the visceral fat was significantly lower (P<0.05) and basal metabolism was significantly higher(P<0.01) on the 42nd day postpartum. Conclusion   Exclusive breastfeeding postpartum has beneficial effects on the glucose,  lipid meta-bolism of patients with GDM. It can increase insulin sensitivity and also helps to lower IR, elevate basal metabolism and reduce visceral fat.

Key words: Exclusive breastfeeding; Gestational diabetes mellitus; Glucose and lipid metabolism; Body composition