Effect of varying protein intake on energy balance, protein balance and estimated weight gain composition in premature infants.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the effect of varying only protein intake on energy balance, protein balance and estimated weight gain composition in premature infants fed either a formula with a protein content of 2.0 g/100 ml (F2) or a protein content of 1.5 g/100 ml (F1.5).


METHODS
Premature infants were randomly allocated to receive F1.5 or F2. Weight gain composition was estimated from protein and energy balances. Energy expenditure was measured with doubly labelled water.


METHODS
F1.5, n = 8; gestational age 32 +/- 3 weeks, birth weight 1716 +/- 560 g. F2, n = 8; gestational age 32 +/- 3 weeks, birth weight 1544 +/- 488 g.


RESULTS
Infants fed F2 showed a significantly higher protein accretion (P = 0.003) and weight gain (P = 0.011) when compared to the infants fed F1.5. There were no differences in the energy balance. The estimated weight gain composition was different between both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The F2 fed infants had an estimated weight gain composition comparable to the reported intrauterine values, while the F1.5 fed infants showed a weight gain composition more comparable to the reported values of the full term infant. The impact of nutrient composition in premature infant formulas on body composition and growth is discussed.
Wauben
I
I
Department of Pediatrics, Academic Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Westerterp
K
K
Gerver
W J
WJ
Blanco
C
C
D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007225:Infant Food; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology*
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D011506:Proteins