Abstract
Small, sick prematures often require intravenous alimentation and are sometimes intolerant to concentrated glucose, with hyperglycemia and glycosuria. Animal studies have shown hetter glucose regulation in the presence of galactose, a normal product of lactose digestion. Possible benefit of IV galactose was studied.
Blood galactose levels on 58 newborns taking milk by mouth showed prompt utilization with peak levels < 5 ng/dl. T1/2 was 45 min. with no significant effect of gestational age or time after birth, indicating necessary enzymes are present. Therapeutic infusions of equal conc. of glucose and galactose in 4 glucose-intolerant premies and 1 infant of a diabetic mother yielded promising results. All stabilized blood glucose in the normal range (70-120), 2 cleared significant urine glucose spills, 3 recovered from previous hyperglycemia, there was a tendency to tolerate higher CHO loads, and no clinical toxicity was noted. Blood galactose levels were monitored and remained below 20 mg/dl. These results suggest that IV galactose is feasible and may cause less hyperglycemia in sick prematures and less insulin stimulation in IDMs while allowing administration of additional calories as CHO.
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Sparks, J., Avery, G., Fletcher, A. et al. THERAPEUTIC INTRAVENOUS GALACTOSE IN GLUCOSE-INTOLERANT PREMATURES. Pediatr Res 11, 450 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00481
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00481
