PRETERM INFANTS FED HUMAN MILK ATTAIN INTRAUTERINE WEIGHT GAIN

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Abstract
The adequacy of human milk for low-birth-weight infants remains controversial. In this study, 35 healthy preterm infants with gestational age from 31-36 wk and a birth weight < 2200 g, were followed until they attained a weight of 2400 g at .apprx. 5-7 wk of age. These infants were fed pooled, expressed human milk, partly supplemented with their own mother''s milk, at intakes of 185 and 200 ml/kg per day. There were no consistent differences between the feeding groups in the rate of gain in weight, length or head circumference, in serum total protein, in acid-base status, or in plasma amino acid concentrations. Pooled, expressed human milk in volumes of 185 or 200 ml/kg per day produces a postnatal weight gain (196 .+-. 6 or 205 .+-. 7 g/wk, respectively) in healthy preterm infants with a gestational age > 31 wk which compares to intrauterine weight gain (207 g/wk). This growth is achieved without apparent metabolic stress.