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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #123098
Title: COMPARING ALTERNATIVES TO AN EXTENSIVE HYDROLYZED PROTEIN FORMULA IN FEEDING PREMATURE INFANTS FOLLOWING GASTROINTESTINAL RESECTION AND ENTEROSTOMY PLACEMENT

Author
item PUANGCO, MARIA - BAYLOR COLLEGE MED
item Schanler, Richard - Rich

Submitted to: Nutrition in Clinical Practice
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/19/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Fortified breast milk and preterm infant formula are designed for the nutritional needs of the premature infant. The feeding of premature infants who have had intestinal surgery was evaluated. Infants were fed either fortified breast milk, preterm infant formula or a formula containing hydrolyzed protein. We found no difference in feeding tolerance, growth and dother indicators of nutritional status among the three groups. Therefore, we suggest that the breast milk and preterm formula are appropriate for feeding premature infants after intestinal surgery.

Technical Abstract: Objectives: Parenteral nutrition and extensive protein hydrolysates (EPH) are standard nutrition therapy for infants after GI resection and enterostomy placement. This retrospective, nonrandomized study compared feeding regimens in this population of infants. Methods: 35 premature infants with GI resections between 1 to 74 cm and enterostomy placement were fed fortified human milk (FEBM), preterm formula or EPH. Feeding tolerance, growth, and biochemical indicators of nutritional status were monitored. Results: Study groups were dissimilar in birth weight. However, growth and feeding tolerance were consistent among groups. More alkaline phosphatase and serum phosphorus values were outside the reference range in the FEBM group. Sixty percent of all infants studied thrived on enteral feedings. Conclusion: These findings suggest no increased risks for premature infants fed preterm formula as the feeding regimen post- intestinal resection. We also demonstrated that it is possible to achieve approximately full volumes of feeding in most cases with uncomplicated GI disease.