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Hydrolysed protein accelerates the gastrointestinal transport of formula in preterm infants
W A Mihatsch1, J Högel, F Pohlandt
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Ulm, Germany.
Insights
Protein hydrolysate formula significantly reduced gastrointestinal transit time in preterm infants. This finding suggests potential benefits for feeding management in premature babies.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatric research
Background:
- Preterm infants often experience feeding difficulties like vomiting and abdominal distension.
- Standard preterm formula can lead to prolonged gastrointestinal transit times.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if protein hydrolysate formula reduces gastrointestinal transit time in preterm infants.
- To compare the transit time of protein hydrolysate formula versus standard preterm formula.
Main Methods:
- A randomized cross-over study involving 15 preterm infants.
- Infants received either protein hydrolysate or standard preterm formula for 5 days each.
- Gastrointestinal transit time was measured using carmine red.
Main Results:
- Protein hydrolysate formula resulted in a significantly shorter gastrointestinal transit time (9.8 hours) compared to standard formula (19 hours).
- The difference in transit time was statistically significant (p = 0.0022).
Conclusions:
- Hydrolysate protein formula accelerates gastrointestinal transit of milk and stools in preterm infants.
- Further research is needed to determine if hydrolysate formulas facilitate earlier establishment of full enteral feeding.
Unlabelled:
Vomiting, large gastric residuals and abdominal distension are common in very immature infants on formula feeding. The present trial investigated whether a protein hydrolysate formula reduces the gastrointestinal transit time in preterm infants. Fifteen preterm infants (median gestational age 29 (24-32) wk, birthweight 1241 (660-1900) g, postnatal age 18 (5-54) d) on full enteral feeds (>150 ml/kg*d) were enrolled. It was hypothesized that the gastrointestinal transit time is at least 2 h shorter when protein hydrolysate formula is fed compared with standard preterm formula. In a randomized cross-over design study, each formula was fed for 5 d. On days 4 and 9 the gastrointestinal transit time was estimated using carmine red. The protein hydrolysate formula had a markedly shorter gastrointestinal transit time (9.8 h) than the standard formula (19 h) (p = 0.0022, two-sided Mann-Whitney U test).
Conclusion:
The hydrolysate protein formula accelerated gastrointestinal transit of milk and stools, but whether hydrolysate formulas enable a more rapid establishment of full enteral feeding in preterm infants needs to be investigated.