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Effects of formula supplementation in breast‐fed infants with failure to thrive
Author(s) -
Hren Irena,
Mis Nataša Fidler,
Brecelj Jernej,
Čampa Andreja širca,
Sedmak Marjeta,
Kržišnik Ciril,
Koletzko Berthold
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-200x.2008.02732.x
Subject(s) - failure to thrive , medicine , breast milk , breast feeding , underweight , pediatrics , percentile , infant formula , prospective cohort study , zoology , obesity , overweight , biochemistry , chemistry , statistics , mathematics , biology
Background: The aim of the present study was to assess whether formula supplementation of infants with failure to thrive can improve underweight without jeopardizing breast‐feeding. Methods: In a prospective intervention study 31 term exclusively breast‐fed infants were studied, who were admitted to hospital at an age of 28–99 days with failure to thrive (≤40% expected weight gain for age and/or bodyweight ≤10th percentile for age) without underlying disease. Infant formula was offered ad libitum after each breast‐feeding, while continued breast‐feeding was supported. Results: Energy intake per day increased from 352 ± 111 kJ/kg (mean ± SD) at study start to 587 ± 115 kJ/kg ( P < 0.001, days 1–3 of supplementation) and 501 ± 99 kJ/kg (days 29–31; P < 0.001 vs study entry). Twenty‐five infants continued to be partially ( n = 21) or fully ( n = 4) breast‐fed. Human milk intake decreased from 476 ± 163 g/day (study days 1–3) to 349 ± 285 g/day (study days 29–31; P < 0.01). The contribution of breast milk to total milk intake decreased from 100% to 42 ± 35% ( P < 0.001). Supplementation over 31 days led to increased weight (0.98 [0.70], standard deviation scores [SDS]), length (+0.40 [0.41] SDS) and head circumference (+0.59 [0.93] SDS). Conclusions: One month of formula supplementation successfully improved growth in 72% of infants with failure to thrive on human milk feeding. Breast‐feeding was maintained in 81% of infants.