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Osmolality of preterm formulas supplemented with nonprotein energy supplements

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 62, pages 274–278 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Background:

Addition of energy supplements to preterm formulas is an optional strategy to increase the energy intake in infants requiring fluid restriction, in conditions like bronchopulmonary dysplasia. This strategy may lead to an undesirable increase in osmolality of feeds, the maximum recommended safe limit being 400 mOsm/kg. The aim of the study was to measure the changes in osmolality of several commercialized preterm formulas after addition of glucose polymers and medium-chain triglycerides.

Methods:

Osmolality was measured by the freezing point depression method. Six powdered formulas with concentrations of 14 g/100 ml and 16 g/100 ml, and five ready-to-feed liquid formulas were analyzed. All formulas, were supplemented with 10% (low supplementation) or 20% (high supplementation) of additional calories, respectively, in the form of glucose polymers and medium chain triglycerides, maintaining a 1:1 glucose:lipid calorie ratio. Inter-analysis and intra-analysis coefficients of variation of the measurements were always < 3.9%.

Results:

The mean osmolality (mOsm/kg) of the non-supplemented formulas varied between 268.5 and 315.3 mOsm/kg, increasing by 3–5% in low supplemented formulas, and by 6–10% in high supplemented formulas. None of the formulas analyzed exceeded 352.8 mOsm/kg.

Conclusion:

The supplementation of preterm formulas with nonprotein energy supplements with up to 20% additional calories did not exceed the maximum recommended osmolality for neonatal feedings.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are very grateful to Dr Paula Nolasco, pediatrician post-graduated in infant nutrition and metabolism, for offering her expertise in providing technical information.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Dona Estefânia, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

    L Pereira-da-Silva, D Virella & M Serelha

  2. Dietetic Service, Hospital Dona Estefânia, Lisbon, Portugal

    M Pitta-Grós Dias

  3. Escola Superior de Tecnologias da Saúde de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

    M Pitta-Grós Dias & A C Moreira

Authors
  1. L Pereira-da-Silva
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  2. M Pitta-Grós Dias
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  3. D Virella
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  4. A C Moreira
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  5. M Serelha
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L Pereira-da-Silva.

Additional information

Contributors: LP-d-S contributed to the study design, osmolality measurements and writing the manuscript, MP-GD for the preparation of formulas and collecting samples, DV to statistical analysis and writing the manuscript, ACM to study design and MS in revising the manuscript.

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Pereira-da-Silva, L., Dias, MG., Virella, D. et al. Osmolality of preterm formulas supplemented with nonprotein energy supplements. Eur J Clin Nutr 62, 274–278 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602736

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602736

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