The growth intensity in preterm infants with extremely and very low birth weight according the type of enteral nutrition
Abstract
Objective: To find out 1) how many extremely and very low birth weight infants receive exclusively human milk, 2) to compare subgroups of extremely and very low birth weight infants fed with hydrolysed formulas versus standard cow's milk formulas and finally 3) to assess differences in growth among the subgroups during first months of their life. Study population and methods: Retrospective study of enteral nutrition in extremely and very preterm infants (birth weight between 500 and 1 500 g) born in 2017.
The type of enteral nutrition was taken from medical records. Investigated groups of infants - preterm infants fed with preterm formula, infants on formula with hydrolysed protein and infants fed with aminoacid based formula.
Time (days) of reaching full enteral feeding (150 ml/kg) was registered as well as weight gains during the first, second and third month of life, both average weight gain in each month and also average daily weight gain (g/kg per day). Further levels of protein in blood samples were measured and the incidence of complications associated with enteral nutrition (ileus, necrotising enterocolitis, sepsis) was assessed.
Results: 73 infants with birth weight between 500 and 1500g born in 2017 were included. 9 infants (12%) received human milk exclusively and 64 infants (88%) received cow's milk formulas. Conclusions: In case when human milk not being available or in case of human milk intolerance by immature gastrointestinal tract special milk formulas provide adequate intake of proteins and other nutrients to ensure comparable growth of extremely and very preterm infants.