Feeding with premature or infant formula in premature infants after discharge: comparison of growth and nutrition status.
We designed this prospective randomized controlled study to evaluate the effects of premature and standard term formula on growth, nutrient intake and biochemical response in premature infants from hospital discharge to 6 months of corrected age. Premature infants with a gestational age of < or =35 weeks and a birth weight < or =1850 gm were assigned to receive premature infant formula (n = 19) or a standard term infant formula (n = 15). No differences were found between the two groups in weight, length, or head circumference at baseline or on follow-up. Infants fed premature formula had higher blood urea nitrogen and phosphorus at 3 months of corrected age. Those on the premature formula also had higher energy intake at 1 month of corrected age. We suggest that premature infants, especially very low birth weight infants, fed preterm infant formula after discharge until 6 months of corrected age tolerate the formula well and may benefit over those standard term formula.
Peng
Chun-Chih
CC
Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. pengcc@ms2.mmh.org.tw
Hsu
Chyong-Hsin
CH
Kao
Hsin-An
HA
Hung
Han-Yang
HY
Chang
Jui-Hsing
JH
D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000145:classification; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome