Post‐discharge nutrition of the very low‐birthweight infant: interim results of the multicentric GAMMA study

Abstract

This report presents the interim results up to 12 mo corrected age (c.a.) of a multicentric, prospective, controlled study on very low‐birthweight infants, randomized at 40 wk post‐conception in two different groups of formula feeding: 80 Kcal/dL (group A) vs 70 Kcal/dL (group B) up to 55 wk of postconceptional age. Subsequently, all the babies were fed with a follow‐on formula, with the introduction of solid foods at 6 mo c.a. Weight, length, head circumference and neurological conditions with psychomotor development (evaluated by the Griffiths’Developmental Scale) were measured at regular intervals and all of these parameters were satisfactory in both groups. For growth, in group A there was a greater increase in weight in boys at 55 wk and at 6 mo c.a., and small for gestational age (SGA) babies had a greater increase in length at 1 y of age, while head circumference caught up on growth from week 40 to week 55. Measured by the Griffiths’Developmental Scale, the SGA group fed 80 Kcal/dL had a better score at 6 mo; similarly boys fed 80 Kcal/dL had a better score at 6 and at 9 mo. Conclusion: Nutrition of very low birthweight infants post‐discharge could have an influence on physical growth and on neurodevelopmental outcome. This interim report needs to be confirmed at the end of the study.

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

“…In total, we identified 16 trials that fulfil review eligibility criteria (Agosti 2003;Atkinson 1999;Atkinson 2004;Carver 2001;Cooke 2001;De Curtis 2002;Jeon 2011;Koo 2006;Litmanovitz 2004;Lucas 1992;Lucas 2001;Peng 2004;Picaud 2005;Roggero 2011;Roggero 2012;Taroni 2009). See Characteristics of included studies.…”

Randomized outcome trial of nutrient-enriched formula and neurodevelopment outcome in preterm infants

“…Indeed, to our knowledge, studies investigating the effect on neurodevelopmental outcome of high protein and energy intake after hospital discharge in preterm infants, who are randomized and evaluated separately according to intrauterine growth pattern, are scarce. Agosti et al [6] reported interim results from a multi-center, randomized controlled study on 121 very low-birth weight infants. Infants were randomized at term corrected age to receive either a preterm formula (2.4 g/100 ml and 80 kcal/100 ml) or a standard term formula (1.7 g/100 ml and 70 kcal/100 ml) up until 55 weeks of corrected age.…”

“…The results of this study are reported following the CONSORT guidelines. Details of the study are reported elsewhere [6]. The trial was registered with Current Controlled Trials (http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN30189842) London, United Kingdom.…”

“…Agosti et al [6] conducted a multicenter, randomized controlled trial on 121 very low-birth weight infants, randomized at term-corrected age to receive either a preterm formula or a standard term formula up until 55 weeks of corrected age. The authors analyzed the small for gestational age (SGA) infants separately, reporting a higher score on the Griffiths Developmental Scale at 6 months of corrected age in the infants fed with preterm formula compared with the infants fed the standard term formula.…”

Promoting growth for preterm infants following hospital discharge

“…Three trials have examined growth in preterm infants fed with ‘preterm formula’ versus standard term formula milk for 4–6 months following hospital discharge 32–34. These trials found inconsistent effects on weight gain and no significant differences in length and head circumference at 12–18 months post-term.…”