Corrigendum to Extrauterine Growth Restriction: What Is the Evidence for Better Nutritional Practices in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit? [Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews 14 (2014) 92–98

Abstract

In “Extrauterine Growth Restriction: What Is the Evidence for Better Nutritional Practices in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit” published in September 2014 it was erroneously reported that “...Rochow et al. designed and completed a double blind RCT to determine if an increased incidence of metabolic acidosis was associated with the use of a new commercially available liquid human milk fortifier and whether modification of the liquid humanmilk fortifier (Enfamil® Acidified Liquid HumanMilk Fortifier) would decrease the incidence of metabolic acidosis. The double blind RCT utilized a powdered humanmilk fortifierwith hydrolyzedwhey protein (FMS) that is made byMilupa, a European based nutrition company. Seven out of 8 infantswho received the commercially available liquid humanmilk fortifier developedmetabolic acidosis in comparison to 1 out of 7 infantswho received the standard human milk fortifier. This finding resulted in the study being interrupted and the liquid human milk fortifier being modified. Metabolic acidosis continued to occur after modification and the authors noted in the overall analysis that the infants with metabolic acidosis had lower mean weight gain and a lower bone mineral content at discharge. The finding of metabolic acidosis was a clinical observation after the new powdered humanmilk fortifier was introduced. The authors concluded that the metabolic acidosis was caused by the composition of the fortifier....” It is true that Rochow et al. observed an increased incidence of metabolic acidosis along with reduced growth and bone mineralization after introduction of a new fortifier. These findings normalized after the company had modified the electrolyte composition. However, different from what was reported in our review paper their fortifier under investigation was a not a liquid fortifier, but a powdered one using hydrolyzed protein. Although the findings of Rochow et al. add to the body of evidence on how the composition of humanmilk fortifiers impacts growth and metabolism, their results do not apply to the use of liquid humanmilk fortification as initially reported. However, the need for further research utilizing the current commercially available liquid human milk fortifiers still exists. The authors would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused.