Muhammad Mustansar, Muhammad Zamir Ahmed.
Differences of plasma osmolarity in healthy breastfed and non breastfed infants.
Pak Paed J Jan ;31(3):120-5.

Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to find out Serum Sodium, Potassium, BUN, and Glucose, in breastfed and non breastfed infants taking formula or fresh milk. The next objective of the present study was to determine and compare plasma osmolarity in breastfed and non breastfed group of infants by the calculated and the estimated methods. Design: The study was cross sectional comparative. Place & Duration of Study: The study samples were collected during the months of April and May 2005 at the out patient department of The Children`s Hospital & the Institute of Child Health, Ferozepur Road, Lahore. The bio-chemical analysis was carried in the Bio-Chemistry Laboratory of the Post Graduate Medical Institute, Birdwood Road, Lahore. Materials & Methods: A research instrument and exclusion and inclusion criteria were designed. The infants up to the age of 1 to 6 months were selected in three groups, (60 infants from each group) taking mother`s milk, infant formula and fresh milk. The mothers were requested to participate in the study and after the consent 2 cc venous blood sample was drawn and centrifuged for the separation of serums and stored at -20Cº for further bio-chemical analysis. The stored serum was analyzed for Serum Glucose mg/dl, BUN mg/dl, Serum Sodium and Potassium levels. From the above mentioned parameters the plasma osmolarity was calculated. The plasma osmolarity was also estimated by the osmometer. Results: There was significantly low plasma osmolarity in the breastfed group of infants (291.92 ± 6.31 calculated, and 286.70 ± 4.63 estimated) as compared to the non breastfed infant groups). Conclusion: The plasma osmolarity of the breastfed infant is significantly lower as compared to non-breastfed infants.

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