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Comparing the Effects of Two Feeding Methods on Metabolic Bone Disease in Newborns with Very Low Birth Weights

Asghar Lotfi1, Kobra Shiasi, Razieh Amini

  • 1. hamedir2010@gmail.com.

Global Journal of Health Science
|August 4, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Preterm formula feeding improved calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels in very low birth weight newborns. However, both feeding methods showed no significant difference in rickets or osteopenia incidence.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal nutrition
  • Pediatric bone metabolism

Background:

  • Very low birth weight (VLBW) newborns are at high risk for bone metabolic diseases due to impaired in-utero mineral transfer and inadequate nutrient content in breast milk or standard formula.
  • Preterm delivery significantly disrupts the third-trimester calcium and phosphorus transfer from mother to fetus, leading to reduced mineral stores.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the effects of two feeding strategies on metabolic bone disease indicators in VLBW newborns.
  • To evaluate the impact of preterm formula versus a combined breast milk and preterm formula diet on bone health markers.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study involving 58 VLBW newborns at Kashan Shahid Beheshti Hospital.
  • Newborns were divided into two groups: one receiving exclusive preterm formula (preNan), and the other receiving a combination of breast milk and preterm formula (preNan).
  • Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and bicarbonate were measured and statistically analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences were observed in mean serum calcium levels between the groups over time (p=0.001).
  • Serum alkaline phosphatase and bicarbonate levels showed significant differences between feeding groups (p=0.001), indicating an influence of the feeding method.
  • No significant difference was found in the incidence of rickets and osteopenia between the two feeding methods.

Conclusions:

  • Exclusive feeding with preterm formula (preNan) demonstrated more favorable biochemical outcomes for bone metabolism in VLBW infants.
  • Despite improved biochemical markers, the incidence of rickets did not significantly differ between the exclusive preterm formula group and the combined feeding group.
Abstract

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