Life-threatening ketoacidosis in a lactating woman

Carbohydrate restriction during lactation: A systematic review

The quality of a mother's diet is important to ensure child growth and development and keep women healthy. This systematic review aimed to identify the outcomes of a carbohydrate-restricted diet during lactation. PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS were searched for studies published between 2012 and 2023; 16 studies were selected, all of them case reports or care series. The carbohydrate restriction described in the papers mainly was ketogenic, low-carb, low-carbohydrate and high-fat, and modified ketogenic diets. The main goal of women undertaking these diets was weight loss, with therapeutic purposes (monitored and supervised by health professionals) in only 2 cases: (1) ketogenic diet therapy for treatment of seizures in the infant and (2) to reduce symptoms of mother's gastroesophageal reflux. Most articles reported that lactating women were hospitalized, experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, muscle weakness, nausea, abdominal pain, general malaise, and fatigue. However, articles did not mention poor outcomes for the infants. Most of the studies in this review were published in the past 3 years, indicating a possible increase in cases of women practicing carbohydrate restriction during lactation for weight loss caused by body dissatisfaction. In conclusion, carbohydrate restriction during lactation may be harmful to the lactating woman and contribute to the state of lactational ketoacidosis, but infant outcomes are mainly a change in feeding patterns. Thus, education on food and nutrition is necessary for this population.

Dietary Advice to Support Glycaemic Control and Weight Management in Women with Type 1 Diabetes during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

In women with type 1 diabetes, the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including congenital anomalies, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, foetal overgrowth and perinatal death is 2-4-fold increased compared to the background population. This review provides the present evidence supporting recommendations for the diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding in women with type 1 diabetes. The amount of carbohydrate consumed in a meal is the main dietary factor affecting the postprandial glucose response. Excessive gestational weight gain is emerging as another important risk factor for foetal overgrowth. Dietary advice to promote optimized glycaemic control and appropriate gestational weight gain is therefore important for normal foetal growth and pregnancy outcome. Dietary management should include advice to secure sufficient intake of micro- and macronutrients with a focus on limiting postprandial glucose excursions, preventing hypoglycaemia and promoting appropriate gestational weight gain and weight loss after delivery. Irrespective of pre-pregnancy BMI, a total daily intake of a minimum of 175 g of carbohydrate, mainly from low-glycaemic-index sources such as bread, whole grain, fruits, rice, potatoes, dairy products and pasta, is recommended during pregnancy. These food items are often available at a lower cost than ultra-processed foods, so this dietary advice is likely to be feasible also in women with low socioeconomic status. Individual counselling aiming at consistent timing of three main meals and 2-4 snacks daily, with focus on carbohydrate amount with pragmatic carbohydrate counting, is probably of value to prevent both hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia. The recommended gestational weight gain is dependent on maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and is lower when BMI is above 25 kg/m². Daily folic acid supplementation should be initiated before conception and taken during the first 12 gestational weeks to minimize the risk of foetal malformations. Women with type 1 diabetes are encouraged to breastfeed. A total daily intake of a minimum of 210 g of carbohydrate is recommended in the breastfeeding period for all women irrespective of pre-pregnancy BMI to maintain acceptable glycaemic control while avoiding ketoacidosis and hypoglycaemia. During breastfeeding insulin requirements are reported approximately 20% lower than before pregnancy. Women should be encouraged to avoid weight retention after pregnancy in order to reduce the risk of overweight and obesity later in life. In conclusion, pregnant women with type 1 diabetes are recommended to follow the general dietary recommendations for pregnant and breastfeeding women with special emphasis on using carbohydrate counting to secure sufficient intake of carbohydrates and to avoid excessive gestational weight gain and weight retention after pregnancy.

Ketoacidosis in a non-diabetic lactating woman: A case report and literature review

We report the case of a 36-year-old woman who developed non-diabetic ketoacidosis following a low carbohydrate diet in order to lose weight while actively breast feeding her newborn. She was admitted in intensive care unit because of severe metabolic acidosis. She rapidly recovered after refeeding process. Lactation ketoacidosis, a special condition that occurs in non-diabetic breastfeeding women, is rare and life-threatening. This report highlights the importance of nutritional education of lactating women in the post-partum period.

Diabetes Management During Breastfeeding in Women with Type 1 Diabetes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide an update on glycemic management of type 1 diabetes during breastfeeding with focus on diet and insulin treatment to prevent hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis, and weight retention. Recommendations for insulin pump settings are given.

RECENT FINDINGS

Women with type 1 diabetes are encouraged to breastfeed. Hypoglycemia is a concern in the breastfeeding period among women with type 1 diabetes, and ketoacidosis may also occur. The usual goals for glucose values for persons with diabetes also apply during breastfeeding. The recommended minimum daily carbohydrate intake is 210 g during breastfeeding, and this may contribute to prevention of hypoglycemia and ketoacidosis while aiming for gradual weight loss. Insulin requirements are 21% lower during breastfeeding than before pregnancy. Diabetes management in breastfeeding women with type 1 diabetes includes the same goals for glucose values as in other persons with diabetes, sufficient carbohydrate intake, and adequate reduction in insulin dose.