Nutrient-enriched formula versus standard term formula for preterm infants following hospital discharge

Abstract

The available data do not provide strong evidence that feeding preterm infants following hospital discharge with nutrient-enriched formula compared with standard term formula affects growth rates or development up to 18 months post-term.

Preterm infants fed nutrient‐enriched formula until 6 months show improved growth and development

“…Although aggressive nutritional management during hospitalization promotes the growth of preterm infants, 4,12,19 little is known about the nutritional needs of preterm infants following discharge 1 . In the present study, VLBWI, who where fed nutrient‐enriched preterm formula until 6 months' CA had significantly improved growth rates of weight, length and head circumference at 18 months' CA, as compared to infants fed term formula at term or after 3 months' CA.…”

Preterm infants fed nutrient‐enriched formula until 6 months show improved growth and development

“…Although aggressive nutritional management during hospitalization promotes the growth of preterm infants, 4,12,19 little is known about the nutritional needs of preterm infants following discharge 1 . In the present study, VLBWI, who where fed nutrient‐enriched preterm formula until 6 months' CA had significantly improved growth rates of weight, length and head circumference at 18 months' CA, as compared to infants fed term formula at term or after 3 months' CA.…”

Optimal Growth and Lower Fat Mass in Preterm Infants Fed a Protein‐enriched Postdischarge Formula

“…This is probably because of heterogeneity in formula composition (energy-enriched or not, amount of extra protein, and protein-to-energy ratio), duration of formula feeding, and inclusion criteria. In a Cochrane review, it was concluded that there is some evidence that growth improves with energy-and protein-enriched formula after discharge; however, the authors emphasized that the clinical significance of these small differences in growth is unclear (8). In a more recent randomized controlled trial infants fed standard formula showed improved growth compared with infants fed enriched formula (25).…”

Altered body composition in preterm infants at hospital discharge

“…The composition of ‘recovery’ or ‘catch‐up’ growth will depend upon dietary protein and energy intakes (28–30), which may vary from 1.6–2.8 g/100 kcal, depending on whether the infant receives human milk, a term infant formula or a nutrient‐enriched formula. The extent to which one formulation better meets needs than another is not widely agreed upon (31,32). What is clear is that close attention be paid not only to weight gain and linear growth but also to body composition and endocrine status after hospital discharge if the best outcome is to be obtained in these high‐risk infants.…”

Preterm infants fed nutrient‐enriched formula until 6 months show improved growth and development

“…Although aggressive nutritional management during hospitalization promotes the growth of preterm infants, 4,12,19 little is known about the nutritional needs of preterm infants following discharge 1 . In the present study, VLBWI, who where fed nutrient‐enriched preterm formula until 6 months' CA had significantly improved growth rates of weight, length and head circumference at 18 months' CA, as compared to infants fed term formula at term or after 3 months' CA.…”

Optimal Growth and Lower Fat Mass in Preterm Infants Fed a Protein‐enriched Postdischarge Formula

“…This is probably because of heterogeneity in formula composition (energy-enriched or not, amount of extra protein, and protein-to-energy ratio), duration of formula feeding, and inclusion criteria. In a Cochrane review, it was concluded that there is some evidence that growth improves with energy-and protein-enriched formula after discharge; however, the authors emphasized that the clinical significance of these small differences in growth is unclear (8). In a more recent randomized controlled trial infants fed standard formula showed improved growth compared with infants fed enriched formula (25).…”

Altered body composition in preterm infants at hospital discharge

“…The composition of ‘recovery’ or ‘catch‐up’ growth will depend upon dietary protein and energy intakes (28–30), which may vary from 1.6–2.8 g/100 kcal, depending on whether the infant receives human milk, a term infant formula or a nutrient‐enriched formula. The extent to which one formulation better meets needs than another is not widely agreed upon (31,32). What is clear is that close attention be paid not only to weight gain and linear growth but also to body composition and endocrine status after hospital discharge if the best outcome is to be obtained in these high‐risk infants.…”

Preterm infants fed nutrient‐enriched formula until 6 months show improved growth and development

“…Although aggressive nutritional management during hospitalization promotes the growth of preterm infants, 4,12,19 little is known about the nutritional needs of preterm infants following discharge 1 . In the present study, VLBWI, who where fed nutrient‐enriched preterm formula until 6 months' CA had significantly improved growth rates of weight, length and head circumference at 18 months' CA, as compared to infants fed term formula at term or after 3 months' CA.…”

Optimal Growth and Lower Fat Mass in Preterm Infants Fed a Protein‐enriched Postdischarge Formula

“…This is probably because of heterogeneity in formula composition (energy-enriched or not, amount of extra protein, and protein-to-energy ratio), duration of formula feeding, and inclusion criteria. In a Cochrane review, it was concluded that there is some evidence that growth improves with energy-and protein-enriched formula after discharge; however, the authors emphasized that the clinical significance of these small differences in growth is unclear (8). In a more recent randomized controlled trial infants fed standard formula showed improved growth compared with infants fed enriched formula (25).…”

Altered body composition in preterm infants at hospital discharge

“…The composition of ‘recovery’ or ‘catch‐up’ growth will depend upon dietary protein and energy intakes (28–30), which may vary from 1.6–2.8 g/100 kcal, depending on whether the infant receives human milk, a term infant formula or a nutrient‐enriched formula. The extent to which one formulation better meets needs than another is not widely agreed upon (31,32). What is clear is that close attention be paid not only to weight gain and linear growth but also to body composition and endocrine status after hospital discharge if the best outcome is to be obtained in these high‐risk infants.…”