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Complementary Feeding and Growth in Infants Born Preterm: A 12 Months Follow-Up Study
Giovanni Boscarino1, Maria Giulia Conti1,2, Federica Pagano1
1Department of Maternal and Child Health, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Insights
For preterm infants, the timing of introducing solid foods (weaning) does not impact growth up to 12 months corrected age. Further research is needed to establish optimal weaning guidelines for these vulnerable newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Nutrition
- Pediatric Growth and Development
Background:
- Established evidence links weaning timing to long-term growth in full-term infants.
- Current international guidelines lack consensus for weaning preterm infants, highlighting a critical knowledge gap.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of early versus late weaning on auxological outcomes in preterm infants up to 12 months corrected age.
- To provide evidence-based insights for optimizing nutritional strategies in preterm neonates.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study design was employed, enrolling neonates with gestational age < 32 weeks or birth weight < 1500 g.
- Infants were categorized into 'Early Weaning' (before 6 months corrected age) and 'Late Weaning' (after 6 months corrected age) groups.
- Growth parameters including weight, length, BMI, and ponderal index were assessed at 12 months corrected age.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in growth parameters were observed between the early and late weaning groups at 12 months corrected age.
- Multivariate regression models confirmed that weaning timing was not associated with growth outcomes in this preterm cohort.
- Baseline clinical characteristics were comparable between the two weaning groups.
Conclusions:
- The timing of complementary food introduction does not appear to influence the growth of preterm infants within the first 12 months of corrected age.
- Further research is essential to establish a consensus on appropriate post-discharge nutritional management and weaning protocols for preterm infants.
Abstract:
Evidences demonstrated that timing of weaning influences long-term growth in full term infants. However, studies on preterm infants are still lacking, and the international guidelines are focused only on healthy full-term newborn, without consensus for preterms. We aimed at evaluating, in a cohort study, the consequences of different timing of weaning on auxological outcomes up to 12 months of corrected age in a population of neonates born with gestational age < 32 weeks or birth weight < 1500 g. We divided the enrolled neonates in two cohorts according to the timing of weaning: (i) Early Weaning: introduction of complementary food before 6 months of corrected age; (ii) Late Weaning: complementary food introduced after 6 months of corrected age. Growth parameters (weight, length, body mass index, and ponderal index) were measured at 12 months of life. The two groups were statistically comparable for baseline clinical characteristics, and differences on growth parameters were not reported between the two study groups. These results were confirmed in linear and binary logistic regression multivariate models. Timing of weaning is not related to growth of preterm newborns in the first 12 months of corrected age. Studies are needed to reach consensus for the appropriate nutritional approach for preterm babies after discharge.
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