Long-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial on individualized fortification of human milk

Area of Science:

• Neonatal nutrition
• Pediatric growth and development
• Clinical nutrition research

Background:

• Previous randomized controlled trial (RCT) on individualized fortification (IF) in preterm infants.
• Need to evaluate both short- and long-term outcomes of IF.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the short-term (up to 2 years) and long-term (6-10 years) outcomes of preterm infants receiving individualized fortification (IF).
• To compare growth, development, and biochemical markers between IF and standard fortification (SF) groups.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of preterm infants from the Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) IF study.
• Data collection included medical records up to age 2 and long-term follow-up at ages 6-10 years.
• Comparison of growth parameters, biochemical indexes, lung function, cognitive scores, and metabolic profiles between IF and SF groups.

Main Results:

• Fifty-one infants completed 2-year follow-up; the IF group showed improved head circumference z-scores at 6 months, hemoglobin at 12 months, and weight z-scores at 24 months.
• Twenty-five children completed long-term follow-up.
• No significant differences were found in long-term lung function, cognitive scores, biochemical markers (ferritin, hemoglobin, IGF, 25-OH-vitamin D), bone age, or metabolic parameters (BMI, lipid profile).

Conclusions:

• Individualized fortification (IF) demonstrated benefits in early growth outcomes for preterm infants.
• No significant long-term health or developmental advantages were observed with IF compared to standard fortification (SF) up to age 10.