Human milk lacto-engineering. Growth nitrogen metabolism, and energy balance in preterm infants

Area of Science:

• Neonatal nutrition
• Pediatric gastroenterology
• Infant development

Background:

• Preterm infants require specialized nutrition for optimal growth and development.
• Human milk is the ideal nutrition, but donor milk or specialized formulas are often necessary.
• Assessing the efficacy of human milk-based formulas is crucial for neonatal care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the growth and metabolic balance of preterm infants fed a specific human milk formula.
• To compare the outcomes of infants fed this formula with intrauterine growth standards and those fed mother's own milk.

Main Methods:

• Conducted fourteen 3-day metabolic balance studies in 8 healthy male preterm infants.
• Infants were fed a human milk formula (183 ml/kg/day) with specific macronutrient and energy content.
• Measured weight gain, nitrogen retention, fat absorption, and assessed renal acid/solute loads.

Main Results:

• Achieved a weight gain of 29 +/- 5 g/day and nitrogen retention of 317 +/- 52 mg/kg/day.
• Demonstrated good fat absorption (76 +/- 12%) with low renal acid and solute loads.
• No metabolic acidosis, hyperazotemia, or hyperaminoacidemia (except tyrosine) was observed.

Conclusions:

• The tested human milk formula supports growth rates and nitrogen retention similar to intrauterine growth.
• This formula appears to be well-tolerated and metabolically safe for preterm infants.
• Results suggest this formula is a viable alternative for preterm infants unable to receive mother's own milk.