BACKGROUND/AIMS

Human milk(HM) is considered to be the best nutrient for premature infants, it is usually inadequate to support the appropriate growth rate and it is frequently supplemented with a human milk fortifier to supply more energy and other nutrients. However, in spite of this supplementation, some infants still fall short of the expected growth rate. Additional calories provided by maltodextrin could help such infants to grow better was hypothesised in this research.

MATERIAL and METHODS

Preterms of less than 34 weeks of gestation and weighing less than 1500 g, were evaluated. The infants were randomly placed into two groups while receiving 100 ml/kg human milk. Group 1 infants received human milk mixed with protein and Group 2 infants received human milk mixed with protein plus maltodextrin. This regimen continued minimum 15 and maximum 29 days and the body weight, height and head circumference measurments were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 187 preterm infants were analysed, 46 infants were excluded from the study, while the remainder were randomly placed into two groups, respectiveley. Their gestational age, birthweight, first day of nutrition, consumption and duration of feeedings were all comparable. There were no significant differences between their weight, height and head circumference gains on the 28th day. There were also no significant differences between their serum blood urea nitrogen, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, sodium, potassium, chloride, thyroid stimulating hormone and free T4 levels.

CONCLUSION

Although the addition of HMF increases weight gain in premature infants, the added calories do not provide any statistically significant but better growing paterns.

Keywords: Calorie, fortification, growth rate, preterm, protein