What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to explore the association between hyperglycemic excursions, rapid weight gain, and mode of feeding in infants.

February 28, 2026Open Access

Infant hyperglycemic excursions by Saliva 1,5-Anhydroglucitol varied by weight status, rapid weight gain and mode of feeding: an exploratory secondary analysis

Key Points

The study aims to explore the association between hyperglycemic excursions, rapid weight gain, and mode of feeding in infants.
Conducted an exploratory secondary analysis of the MINT study involving 127 infants.
Collected saliva samples to measure 1,5-AG concentrations before introducing complementary foods.
Classified rapid weight gain based on weight-for-age z-score changes from birth to 5 months.
Analyzed correlation between 1,5-AG levels and weight gain using statistical methods including regression.
Found a negative correlation between saliva 1,5-AG levels and weight-for-age z-score increases (r = -0.238, p = 0.01).
Human milk-fed and mixed-fed infants showed higher 1,5-AG levels than exclusive formula-fed infants (p = 0.001).
Lower 1,5-AG levels are associated with increased weight-for-age z-scores, indicating possible health impacts.

Abstract

Early infant feeding and weight gain can impact the development of chronic diseases. 1,5 anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) is a measure of hyperglycemic excursions HEs) and decreases during HEs due to increased urinary excretion. We hypothesized that HEs as measured by 1,5-AG are associated with infant rapid weight gain (RWG). Infants from the MINT study, a randomized controlled feeding trial, participated in this exploratory secondary analysis. Saliva from 127 infants at 5 months of age was collected before the introduction of complementary foods. Saliva 1,5-AG concentration was measured using LC-MS and log transformed for statistical analyses. Demographic, anthropometric, and feeding mode (exclusive human milk-fed (EHMF), exclusive formula fed (EFF), mixed fed (MF)) data were collected. RWG was classified as an increase in the weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) greater than 0.67 from birth to 5 months. Saliva 1,5-AG concentrations were negatively correlated with an increase of WAZ at 5 months (r =-0.238, p = 0.01). EHMF and MF infants had significantly greater 1,5-AG values (-0.252 ± 0.639, -0.332 ± 0.912, respectively) compared with EFF infants (-1.754 ± 0.705, p = 0.001). Birth weight, but not sex, age or maternal BMI, was positively associated with WAZ changes. Saliva 1,5-AG levels remained inversely associated with the change in WAZ values in adjusted regression models when controlling for birth weight (β= -0.214, 95% CI: -0.38, -0.05), but not when mode of feeding was included. The odds ratio for 1,5-AG (OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.90) was also significantly associated with RWG using logistic regression controlling for birth weight. These results suggest that human milk-fed infants have fewer HEs compared with EFF infants. Lower saliva 1,5- AG levels were associated with an increase in WAZ and RWG. Additional analyses are needed to evaluate the underlying drivers of HEs and their association with infant growth and health. The current study is registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov , Identifier: NCT05012930 .

Infant hyperglycemic excursions by Saliva 1,5-Anhydroglucitol varied by weight status, rapid weight gain and mode of feeding: an exploratory secondary analysis

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Abstract

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