Abstract
Adequate calorie intake, 120 cal/kg/day, was maintained from age 48 hours in two groups of low birth weight infants, 1001-1250g. and 1251-1500g., by continuous duodenal or proximal jejunal infusion(NJ) of commercial infant formula. The neonatal course of these infants was compared with a control group(C) fed conventionally by intermittent gavage feedings. The NJ groups were comparable to controls in birth weight, discharge weight and mortality; however, maximum weight loss was reduced by about 50% in the NJ groups with a comparable reduction in the time to regain birth weight. Hospital stay was reduced in the lower but not in the higher infant weight group. No significant complications of the feeding tube or the accelerated feeding program were encountered.
Early malnutrition may have a detrimental effect on developmental potential; this technique permits greater control over the duration and severity of catabolism in the early neonatal period.
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Tanprasert, K., Roan, Y., Fisher, D. et al. THE EFFECT OF EARLY ADEQUATE CALORIE INTAKE IN LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS. Pediatr Res 8, 386 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00277
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00277