Facial responses to basic tastes in the newborns of women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE

To compare facial responses to basic tastes among newborns of women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

Two-hundred and one healthy newborns, 100 from GDM women were studied at the Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira (IMIP), Brazil. Basic tastes were evaluated through administration of glucose (25%), sodium chloride (1.4%), citric acid (25%) and quinine hydrochloride (25%); 0.2 ml of solution on the dorsal surface of the tongue. All newborns had their face videotaped and facial responses were coded according to the Baby Facial Action Coding System. The frequency of the facial action units was compared among newborns from mothers with and without GDM.

RESULTS

Facial responses to salt was more liking among newborns from GDM mothers as compared to controls; 33 (33%) versus 21 (21%), p = 0.039). Facial responses to sweet, sour and bitter showed no differences among newborns from mothers with and without GDM. Facial expressions to basic tastes showed no differences among newborns from controlled and non- controlled GDM mothers.

CONCLUSION

Newborns from GDM mothers seem to have a little more preference taste to salt. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding and to verify if these newborns responses to basic tastes remain life-long.