Growth, metabolic response, and development in very-low-birth-weight infants fed banked human milk or enriched formula. I. Neonatal findings

Richard E. Behrman, Jon E. Tyson, Robert E. Lasky, Charles E. Mize, Constance J. Richards, Nan Blair-Smith, Robin Whyte, Alan E. Beer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

98 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Banked human milk has been widely used, although its composition and nutritional adequacy for preterm infants are uncertain. We randomized 76 healthy infants of ≤1500 gm birth weight to ad lib feedings of frozen BHM or a protein-mineral-calorie-enriched formula (Similac Special Care) designed to sustain intrauterine accretion rates; BHM contained 2.2 gm fat/100 ml and 60 kcal/100 ml (gross energy). Infants fed BHM ingested more milk (197 vs 165 ml/kg/day) but less gross energy (118 vs 143 kcal/kg/day); grew less rapidly in weight (15 vs 30 gm/day), length (0.7 vs 1.1 cm/wk), and head circumference (0.8 vs 1.2 cm/wk); and were discharged at a lower weight (2200 vs 2348 gm) and older age (61 vs 47 day) than infants fed formula (P<0.02). At 37 weeks' postmenstrual age, infants fed BHM were less responsive to Brazelton inanimate stimuli (mean total score 5.0 vs 7.5; P<0.02). With few exceptions, blood amino acids, pH, and serum electrolyte values were similar in both groups. The different caloric intake of our feeding groups may explain only part of the large difference in growth rate. Donor milk should not be fed to preterm infants unless it has been analyzed and the feedings shown to provide a nutrient intake considered appropriate to the needs of these infants.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)95-104
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Pediatrics
Volume103
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 1983
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
From University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas, Southwestern Medical School; Children's Medical Center," Parkland Memorial Hospital," McMaster University Medical Center; and University of Michigan. Supported in part by Biomedical Research Support Grant 1626 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, by Grant 5-S07-RR-O5426-16 from University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas, and by a grant from Ross Laboratories. Reprint requests: Jon E. Tyson, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75235.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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