FEEDING PRETERM INFANTS AFTER HOSPITAL DISCHARGE - EFFECT OF DIETARY MANIPULATION ON NUTRIENT INTAKE AND GROWTH

The objective of this study was to compare formula intake, the time of weaning, and growth in preterm infants (less than or equal to 1750-g birth weight, less than or equal to 34-wk gestation) fed a standard te rm or preterm infant formula after initial hospital discharge, Infants were randomized at hospital discharge to be fed a preterm infant form ula from discharge to 6 mo corrected age (group A), a term formula fro m discharge to 6 mo (group B), or the preterm formula (discharge to te rm) and the term formula (term to 6 mo (group C). Infants were seen bi weekly (discharge to term) and monthly (term to 6 mo), when intake was measured and anthropometry and blood sampling were performed. The res ults were analyzed using ANOVA. Although nutrient intake was similar, at 6 mo girls were lighter (6829 versus 7280 g) and shorter (64.4 vers us 66.0 cm) than boys (p < 0.05). Patient characteristics were similar between the treatment groups. Although the volume of intake differed (B > C > A; p < 0.001), energy intake was similar in the groups. Becau se of differences in formula composition, protein, calcium, and phosph orus intakes differed (B < C < A; p < 0.001). Lower protein intakes we re related to lower blood urea nitrogen levels (B < C < A; p < 0.001). At 6 mo, infant boys in B and C were lighter (6933, 6660 < 7949 g), s horter (65.3, 64.9 < 67.1 cm), and had a smaller head circumference (4 3.7, 43.7 < 44.8 cm; p < 0.05) than infants in group A. Preterm infant s were found to increase their volume of intake to compensate for diff erences in energy density between formulas. After hospital discharge, infant boys fed a preterm formula grew faster than infant girls fed a preterm formula or infant boys fed a term formula.