Exclusive Breastfeeding Improves Puerperal Glucose Metabolism in Pregnant Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Links to Lipids Composition

Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University

Breastfeeding could effectively be associated with a lower risk of future type 2 diabetes (T2D) in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but the short-term protective impact of puerperal breastfeeding on maternal metabolic recovery of GDM women remains unascertained. The investigators recruited GDM participants at 6-9 weeks postpartum and retrieved clinical diagnoses of GDM from electronic medical records. Feeding patterns were collected via phone calls. Glucose metabolism parameters and lipid profiling were performed on fasting plasma samples collected from patients 6-9 weeks postpartum (20 breastfeeding cases vs. 15 formula feeding cases).

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18-35 years old;
2. gestational age greater than 37 weeks;
3. Body Mass Index (BMI) before pregnancy 18.5-28kg/m2;
4. Have normal listening and speaking skills, can communicate, and are willing to participate in this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. abnormal glucose metabolism or diabetes has been diagnosed before pregnancy;
2. assisted reproduction;
3. GDM patients requiring drug treatment;
4. The use of blood lipid regulation drugs;
5. other pregnancy complications and complications;
6. Suffering from heart, malignant tumor, kidney and other major organ diseases;
7. associated with neurological dysfunction and cognitive impairment;
8. Failure to cooperate with follow-up observers.