A simple high calorie high protein feed for low birth weight infants in developing countries

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Nutrition
• Pediatric Growth Studies

Background:

• Low birth weight (LBW) infants face challenges in achieving optimal growth.
• Standard milk feeds may not provide adequate caloric and protein intake for catch-up growth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a high-calorie, high-protein milk feed in promoting growth in LBW infants.
• To compare growth parameters in LBW infants receiving an enhanced feed versus a standard feed.

Main Methods:

• A simple high-calorie, high-protein feed was prepared by adding Caloreen and egg white to milk.
• One hundred LBW infants were divided into a study group (enhanced feed) and a control group (standard feed).
• Growth rate, weight gain, linear growth, and occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) were monitored weekly.

Main Results:

• The study group achieved a significantly higher weekly weight gain (203 g) compared to the control group (110 g).
• Linear growth was greater in the study group (8.6 mm) versus the control group (6.4 mm).
• Occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) increase was significantly higher in the study group (0.67 mm) than in the control group (0.38 mm).

Conclusions:

• The enhanced high-calorie, high-protein milk feed is effective in improving growth outcomes for LBW infants.
• This nutritional strategy significantly enhances weight gain, linear growth, and head circumference in LBW infants.
• The findings support the use of supplemented milk feeds for optimizing neonatal growth in LBW populations.