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Use of energy-dense formula for treating infants with non-organic failure to thrive
Insights
Increasing formula energy density improved energy intake and weight gain in most infants with non-organic failure to thrive. This intervention shows promise for addressing infant growth faltering.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Infant Growth and Development
Background:
- Non-organic failure to thrive (NOFTT) is a common concern in infants.
- Effective interventions to improve energy intake and weight gain in NOFTT are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if increasing infant formula energy density enhances energy intake and weight gain.
- To evaluate the impact of higher energy density formula on infants diagnosed with NOFTT.
Main Methods:
- A hospital-based trial involving 15 infants with NOFTT.
- Infants received standard formula (2.8 kJ/ml) then a higher density formula (4.18 kJ/ml) for 3 days each, with a wash-out period.
- Daily measurements of infant weight and energy intake were recorded.
Main Results:
- 60% of infants showed significant increases in energy intake and weight gain with higher density formula (P<0.02).
- 27% of infants self-regulated intake, maintaining energy levels by consuming less volume.
- 13% of infants experienced a significant decrease in energy consumption (P<0.02).
Conclusions:
- Elevating formula energy density is a potentially effective strategy for improving weight gain and energy intake in most infants with NOFTT.
- Individual infant responses vary, with some self-regulating intake when formula density increases.
Objective:
To evaluate if simply increasing the energy density of the formula will lead to increased energy intake and weight gain in infants with non-organic failure to thrive.
Design:
In this hospital-based trial, 15 infants (mean age, 7.6+/-1.4 months) with non-organic failure to thrive were fed a regular strength formula (2.8 kJ/ml) for 3 days and then switched to the same formula with a higher energy density (4.18 kJ/ml) for 3 days after a 2 day 'wash-out' period. Daily nude weights and energy intakes were recorded for the two 3 day periods.
Results:
During feeding with the higher density formula, nine (60%) infants had a significant increase in their energy intake and weight gain (both P<0.02); four (27%) showed no change in energy intake and self-regulated their intake by decreasing the volume of feeds consumed to maintain energy intake; and two (13%) infants consumed a significantly reduced amount of energy (P<0.02).
Conclusion:
Increasing the energy density of the formula may provide a useful intervention to increase the weight gain and energy intake of most infants with non-organic failure to thrive.
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