Growth of Preterm Infants Fed Nutrient-Enriched or Term Formula After Hospital Discharge

Abstract

Growth was improved in preterm infants fed a nutrient-enriched postdischarge formula after hospital discharge to 12 months' CA. Beneficial effects were most evident among infants with birth weights <1250 g, particularly for head circumference measurements.

The Effects of the Introduction of a High-Nutrient Transitional Formula on Growth and Development of Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants

“…Our results are similar to other studies 8,13,14 that evaluated the effects of a high-nutrient formula after discharge. Friel et al 13 reported on 52 infants <1500 g birth weight who were randomly assigned to either a nutrient-enriched formula or a standard term formula when the infants achieved a weight of 1850 g. Infants were then maintained on the assigned formula for 6 months and followed for 12 months.…”

“…Studies comparing unfortified and fortified human milk with fortified formulas have shown decreased bone mineralization and linear growth among infants receiving human milk. 10,21,25,26 In summary, our findings support prior reports 8,13,14 of improved growth for VLBW infants receiving TF. One difference between our observational study and the three trials was duration of TF.…”

“…In a randomized trial, Carver et al 8 compared a nutrientenriched formula to standard term formula provided to 12 months CA in a sample of 125 infants <1800 g. They found greater benefits to growth from the nutrient-enriched formula in infants with birth weight <1250 g and in male infants.…”

“…One difference between our observational study and the three trials was duration of TF. In the Friel et al 13 trial, infants received TF for 6 months, in the Lucas et al 14 trial for 9 months, and in the Carver et al 8 trial for 12 months. In our study, only 37% of infants remained on TF at 7 months of age.…”

Postdischarge nutritional therapy

“…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.…”