FEEDING OF VERY-LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS WITH SPECIAL FORMULA - CONTINUED USE BEYOND 2000 G AND EFFECTS ON GROWTH TO 1 YEAR

Abstract

Ten very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants fed a premature formula up to a weight of 2000 g were randomized either to continue on the premature formula for a further 8 wk or to change to a standard infant formula. Four infants in each gorup completed the 8-wk study period, while growth and biochemical data were available on the other 2 infants for 1/2 the study period. No significant differences were seen at the end of the study. Infants on the premature formula showed a trend towards more rapid growth during the 8-wk period, but this was no longer evident at a corrected age of 3 mo. All infants were followed up to a corrected age of 1 yr, during which time growth curves were similar to those previously described for VLBW infants. No long-term tendency towards obesity was evident in these infants, who had gained weight up to 2000 g at a rate equivalent to the intra-uterine rate.