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Posthospitalization growth and bone mineral status of normal preterm infants. Feeding with mother's milk or standard
Insights
Preterm infants fed human milk showed similar growth but different bone mineralization compared to those on cow's milk formula. This highlights nutritional differences impacting bone development in premature infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Bone Metabolism
Background:
- Preterm infants require specialized nutrition for optimal growth and development.
- Human milk and cow's milk-based formulas have distinct nutritional profiles.
- Bone mineralization is a critical concern in the long-term health of preterm infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare growth and bone mineralization in preterm infants fed human milk versus cow's milk-based formula.
- To assess anthropometric measures and biochemical markers of bone metabolism.
- To evaluate bone mineral content at various postmenstrual ages.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of preterm infants (n=24) divided into human milk and formula groups.
- Regular anthropometric measurements (weight, length, circumferences, skinfolds) post-discharge.
- Analysis of serum calcium, phosphorus, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, alkaline phosphatase, and albumin.
- Bone mineral content assessment using photon absorptiometry.
Main Results:
- Both groups exhibited similar growth rates in weight, length, and body composition.
- Formula-fed infants had higher serum phosphorus (42 weeks), calcium (48 weeks), and albumin (56 weeks).
- Bone mineral content was significantly higher in formula-fed infants by 56 weeks' postmenstrual age.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants fed mother's milk demonstrate comparable growth to formula-fed infants.
- Cow's milk-based formula appears to promote a different, potentially higher, rate of bone mineralization.
- Nutritional strategies may need adjustment to optimize bone health in preterm infants receiving human milk.
Abstract:
The growth and bone mineralization were studied in ten preterm infants fed human milk and 14 preterm infants fed cow's milk-based formula. After discharge from the hospital, at 42, 48, and 56 weeks' postmenstrual age, anthropometric measures of weight, length, occipital frontal circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, triceps, and subscapular skin folds were obtained. Blood was drawn for determinations of serum calcium, phosphorus, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, alkaline phosphatase, and albumin levels. Bone mineral analyses were performed by photon absorptiometry. Mean (+/- SD) gestational ages in nursing and formula-fed infants were similar (32.0 +/- 2.5 vs 31.5 +/- 1.5 weeks), as were their mean (+/- SD) birth weights (1.76 +/- 0.42 vs 1.52 +/- 0.30 kg). After hospitalization, both groups had similar rates of growth in weight, length, head circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, triceps, and subscapular skinfold thickness. The formula-fed group had higher serum phosphorus levels at 42 weeks, higher serum calcium levels at 48 weeks, and higher serum albumin concentrations at 56 weeks than the breast-fed group. By 56 weeks' postmenstrual age, the bone mineral content was higher in the formula-fed group. Our data suggest that after hospitalization, preterm infants fed their own mother's milk have similar growth patterns but a different bone mineralization rate compared with preterm infants fed a standard cow's milk-based formula.