Abstract
Intakes of 4 sweet carbohydrates (sucrose, dextrose, lactose and fructose)at 4 concentrations (1/16, 1/8, ¼, ½M) were obtained in 64 healthy term infants (32 males, 32 females) within 72 hours of birth. Intakes of a test sugar and a standard sugar (1/8M sucrose) were measured in 3 minute tests scheduled midway between feedings. Order of presentation of test sugar and concentrations was randomized. Infants discriminated between sugars and concentrations, demonstrating a distinct preference or greater intake for sweeter solutions. Intakes were unrelated to sex, maternal parity, order of presentation, breast or bottle feeding or age in hours. Anthropometric measures of infant and mother were obtained (mid-arm circumference, triceps skinfold, birth weight and maternal weight at term, maternal weight gain, birth length and maternal height). Intake for the standard sugar was significantly correlated with birth weight, length, infant triceps and circumference. No maternal measure correlated with infant intake. The contribution of low-birth weight infants (≤ 3000 gms) to these correlations was primary. Only the intakes of low-birth weight infants were different from other infants. These data suggest 1) Intake is directly influenced by taste, 2) Infant or maternal indices of fatness are unrelated to taste responses, 3) Infants weighing ≤ 3000 gms show lower taste responsiveness. NSF-BNS76-09957 Studies conducted at the Perinatology Center at NY Hospital ,NYC.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Grinker, J., Brasel, J. 46 INFANT TASTE RESPONSES ARE CORRELATED WITH BIRTH WEIGHT AND UNRELATED TO INDICES OF OBESITY. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 371 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00051
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00051