Late metabolic acidosis and poor weight gain in moderately pre-term babies fed with a casein-predominant formula: a continuing need for caution.
When our neonatal unit opened in 1984 our formula feeding policy for moderately preterm babies was for casein-predominant rather than "humanized" whey-predominant milk formulae to be given. However, an early cluster of cases of late persistent metabolic acidosis prompted an investigation into the acid-base status and weight gain in preterm infants. This study of 70 healthy, moderately preterm (32-35 weeks) Chinese babies has convincingly shown that a casein-predominant low protein formula is associated with significant metabolic acidosis, persisting sometimes for as long as 8 weeks, and poor weight gain when compared with infants fed on either a humanized or a special low-birthweight formula. This is an important message for the many neonatal units in developing countries where the cost of humanized formulae might initially seem prohibitive, encouraging instead casein-predominant formulae when breast milk is not available. Any additional expense incurred in using humanized formulae will be compensated for by the shortened time spent in hospital.
Fok
T F
TF
Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital (The Chinese University of Hong Kong), Shatin.
So
L Y
LY
Lee
N N
NN
Leung
R K
RK
Wong
W
W
Cheung
K L
KL
Davies
D P
DP
D000138:Acidosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002364:Caseins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007225:Infant Food; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D015430:Weight Gain
D002364:Caseins