Growth and Body Composition of Human Milk‐Fed Premature Infants Provided with Extra Energy and Nutrients Early after Hospital Discharge: One Year Follow‐up

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot was to investigate the impact of early post‐hospital discharge supplementation of human milk with a multi‐nutrient fortifier on the growth and body composition of premature infants to one year corrected age (CA). Predominantly human milk‐fed infants (750–1800g birth weight) were randomized to an intervention (n=19) or control (n=20) group at discharge. Infants in the intervention received ~½ of their feedings supplemented with a multi‐nutrient fortifier (24kcal/fl oz, 22g protein/L plus other nutrients) for 12 weeks. Anthropometrics were determined at discharge and at 4, 6 and 12 months CA, and body composition at 4 and 12 months CA using dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry. Intervention infants were heavier, and longer at 12 months CA compared to control infants (p<0.005). Intervention infants born ≤ 1250 g had a larger mean head circumference throughout the first year of life (p=0.0002). Whole body bone mineral content at 4 and 12 months CA was greater in the intervention (p=0.02) but not when controlled for length. In conclusion, adding a multi‐nutrient fortifier to the milk provided to predominantly human milk‐fed premature infants early after discharge results in sustained differences weight, length, and in smaller babies, head circumference for the first year of life.Funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research(CIHR) and the CIHR Training Grant in Clinical Research