In order to establish the time for starting infant feeding, a joint project was undertaken with Catholic Medical School, Dept. of OB. & GY.
The control data revealing maternal mean blood sugar, cord level and maternal infant carbohydrate gradient appeared in the KOREAN JOURNAL of OB & GY. Vol. 11. No. 10, Oct., 1968, and our present study deals mostly with neonatal glucose utilization curve in 10 selected fasting infants. Somogyi-Nelson method for glucose was employed withimmediate analysis, and addition of Sodium Floride when the delay was inevitable.
The determination were carried out at birth, 2, 3, 4, 6, & 12 hours respectively. The analysis of the result appeares to rationalize the early feeding concept drawing support from the following observations: that the glucose mean valves tended to fall after birth and the fall continued till 6th hour, and that in 3 isolated cases, no symptomatic level of 30 ml/100 cc and below was reached.
An early feeding is proposed to replace the traditional criteria of 12th hour feeding of normal infants and the still delayed feeding of prematures.
The prevention of hypoglycemia should be given priority over the question of rest and the fear of aspiration pneumonia.
A glucose water-feeding not exceeding normal infant gastric capacity of 25 cc. may be commenced at the 6th hour, and continued at 2-3 hour interval with increments till breast or bottle feeding is attained. For prematures, an immediate IV. or subcutaneous glucose is proposed. Fetal distress likewise should be given the above measure, and the Usher Regime.
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