Feeding Preterm Infants after Hospital Discharge: Growth and Development at 18 Months of Age

Postdischarge nutritional therapy

“…Two of the studies clearly demonstrate the advantage in growth is apparent quite early, suggesting a finite period, 'critical growth epoch' (the first 1 to 2 months post-terms) during which catch-up growth in response to higher nutrient intake is most likely to occur. 16,18 Heird suggests more attention be paid to nutrition postdischarge as part of a strategy to address requirements for catch-up growth. He notes this is problematic because there seems to be this finite period -perhaps as brief as a few weeks during which response to increased nutrient intake occurs.…”

“…15 Three recent studies add additional insight into the role for PDF, suggesting benefits may be related to birth weight, 16 gender, [16][17][18] and/or a 'window of opportunity' when supplemental nutrients can promote 'catch-up' and subsequent growth even after discontinuation of PDF. 13,14 Two of the reports also raise the possibility that postdischarge nutrition may benefit long-term development.…”

“…13,14 Two of the reports also raise the possibility that postdischarge nutrition may benefit long-term development. 17,18 Two hundred and eighty-four preterm infants received either TF or PDF for the first 9 months post-term. At 9 months post-term, PDF infants were significantly heavier (mean difference 370 g) and longer (1.1 cm) than TF infants, and the length difference persisted to 18 months post-term.…”

“…18 One hundred and twenty-nine preterm infants were randomly assigned to one of three dietary regimes until 6 months post-term: TF, PTF or PTF until term then TF to 6 months. Males fed PTF after discharge showed significantly greater weight and length gain and larger head circumference by 6 months post-term than those fed TF throughout.…”

“…21 The 33 patient Decurtis trial 20 is a 2-month study and is among the six trials 15,16,18,20,22 meeting inclusion in the Cochrane analysis. Based on these six studies they recommend that follow-up of infants participating in the trials might provide further data on the effect of the intervention and growth through later childhood and on later neuro developmental outcomes, also concluded that large randomized controlled trials are needed.…”