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Title: Continuous feedings of fortified human milk lead to nutrient losses of fat, calcium, and phosphorous

Author
item ROGERS, STEFANIE - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item HICKS, PENNI - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item HAMZO, MARIA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item VEIT, LAUREN - Rensselaer P0lytechnic Institute
item ABRAMS, STEVEN - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)

Submitted to: Nutrients
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/25/2010
Publication Date: 2/26/2010
Citation: Rogers, S.P., Hicks, P.D., Hamzo, M., Veit, L.E., Abrams, S.A. 2010. Continuous feedings of fortified human milk lead to nutrient losses of fat, calcium, and phosphorous. Nutrients. 2(3):230-240.

Interpretive Summary: Substantial losses of nutrients may occur while premature infants are being fed with a tube into their stomach. Our objective was to compare the losses of key nutrients and minerals using available tube feeding systems in a benchtop model of this feeding. We found that feeding method was significantly associated with fat and calcium losses, with increased losses when the feeds were given continuously. When human milk was fortified with donor human milk it was associated with significantly less loss of fat and minerals than when fortified with a cow milk-based fortifier.

Technical Abstract: Substantial losses of nutrients may occur during tube (gavage) feeding of fortified human milk. Our objective was to compare the losses of key macronutrients and minerals based on method of fortification, and gavage feeding method. We used clinically available gavage feeding systems and measured pre- and post-feeding (end-point) nutrient content of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (Phos), protein, and fat. Comparisons were made between continuous, gravity bolus, and 30-minute infusion pump feeding systems, as well as, human milk fortified with donor human milk-based and bovine milk-based human milk fortifier using an in vitro model. Feeding method was significantly associated with fat and Ca losses, with increased losses in continuous feeds. Fat losses in continuous feeds were substantial, with 40 +/- 3 % of initial fat lost during the feeding process. After correction for feeding method, human milk fortified with donor milk-based fortifier was associated with significantly less loss of Ca (8 +/- 4% vs. 28 +/- 4%, p < 0.001), Phos (3 +/- 4% vs. 24 +/- 4%, p < 0.001), and fat (17 +/- 2% vs. 25 +/- 2%, p = 0.001) than human milk fortified with a bovine milk-based fortifier (Mean +/- SEM).