Growth and bone mineralisation in premature infants fed preterm formula or standard term formula after discharge in very low birth weight infants

• Published in: Neuropediatrics
• Main Authors: Picaud, JC, Plan, O, Pidoux, O, Reygrobellet, B, Lachambre, M, Van Egroo, LD, Chapuis, F, Salle, BL, Claris, O
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: 13.11.2006
• ISSN: 0174-304X; 1439-1899
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-946321

Aim: There are still not enough informations to propose guidelines about post-discharge nutrition. We evaluated growth and bone mineralisation in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants fed preterm formula (PF) or standard term formula (TF). Methods: A double-blind prospective randomized study was performed in two tertiary car neonatal units. Subjects of 33 weeks or less were randomized at discharge (T0) to be fed a PF or a TF. Both formulas were commercially available formulas with macronutrient composition typical of PF or TF. They were fed PF or TF until one month after theoretical term (TT) (T1). Then, all subjects were fed the same formula (TF) until 3 months after theoretical term (T2). Anthropometric data were collected and whole-body Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry was performed at T0, T1 and T2. Results: Clinical characteristics were similar between the 2 feeding groups at birth (PF: GA=29.4±1.5 wks, BW=1168±255g – TF: GA=29.8±1.6 wks, BW=1212±253g) and at T0 (PF: PNA=44±15d, BW=1989±115g – TF: PNA=45±15d, BW=2016±94g). Body weight at T1 and T2, bone mineral content (BMC) at T1 tended to be higher in PF group than in TF group. At T2, BMC was significantly higher in PF group than in TF group (104±29g vs. 88±17g, p=0.03). Difference in BMC was related to an increase in bone mineral density and persisted when BMC was expressed as g per kg BW. Difference in BW was related to an increase in fat mass (no difference in lean mass). At TT+12 months body mass index was similar in both groups and within in the normal range. Summary: Four months after discharge, we observed a better growth and whole-body mineralization in VLBW infants fed PF than in those fed TF during the first two months after discharge. Conclusions: That study suggest that feeding VLBW infants during the first two months after discharge could be of particular interest at this early stage of development.