Energy requirements in Chilean infants

Aim-To evaluate the energy requirements of breast fed infants. Methods-The study was conducted in 17 healthy exclusively breast fed infant s of normal birth weight (mean (SD) 3332 (280) g). Energy expenditure by th e doubly labelled water method and milk intake by the dose to infant method were measured at 34 (4) days. A dose of 0.2 g/kg deuterium oxide (99.8%) a nd 2.0 g/kg 10% O-18 labelled water was given to the infants, and urine sam ples were collected for seven consecutive days after dosing. Results-The mean (SD) weight of the infants during the period of evaluation was 4617 (343) g and weight gain 34.0 (7.5) g/day. Daily milk intake was 7 28 (101) g and its metabolisable energy content 2.71 kJ/g. The energy expen diture of the infants was 1205 (312) kJ/day and energy required for growth was 607 (130) kJ/day. When combined this produced an energy requirement of 391 kJ/kg/day for these infants. Conclusion-These data agree with those from other studies in the United Kin gdom and the United States and suggest that adequate growth can be achieved with 19.4% less energy than recommended by FAO/WHO/UNU.