Abstract
23 E and N balances were performed in 12 VLBI. 4 were fed with a preterm formula (P F) and 8 with expressed breast milk (EBM). The two groups were comparable for birthweight (1133±164 vs 1016±235g), gestational age (28.5±1.7vs28.4±2.8 weeks), age and weight at beginning of the study (17±10vs31±29 days and 1258±108vs1243±218g) (M±1SD). The E and N content of PF and EBM was 81vs 64±9kcal/dl and 329±8vs 242±46mgN/dl respectively. The two groups received similar milk intakes (187±17vs 184±15ml/kg/d). The PF group showed a higher E retention (117±17vs 97±21kcal/kg/d p=0.03), a higher N retention (377±62vs 297±64mgN/kg/d p=0.009) and a higher weight gain (17±6vs 14±6g/kg/d p=0.03). We found a positive linear relationship between N retention and E retention (r=0.68, p<0.001). The EBM was highly variable in E and N content so the ratio between them was not constant. Using multiple regression analysis we found no effect of E retention on the relationship between N intake and N retention in EBM group (15 balances).
Conclusions: 1) VLBI behave in similar manner than low birth weight infants. 2) The most relevant factor affecting N retention is N intake. The E content of EBM and of modern PF is generally well retained by VLBI and it is probable that E is less often the limiting factor in growth than it was previously thought to be. Protein deficiency seems to be the most likely reason for poor growth in human milk-fed infants.
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De Curtis, M., Mc Intosh, N. & Brooke, O. ENERGY (E) AND NITROGEN (N) BALANCES IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS (VLBI). Pediatr Res 22, 230 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198708000-00101
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198708000-00101