Feeding Preterm Infants after Hospital Discharge: Effect of Diet on Body Composition

Our purpose in this study was to examine whole body composition, using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) during dietary intervention in preterm infants (≤1750 g birthweight, ≤34 wk gestation). At discharge, infants were randomized to be fed either a preterm infant formula (discharge–6 mo; group A) or a term formula (discharge–6 mo; group B), or the preterm formula (discharge–term) and the term formula (term–6 mo; group C). Nutrient intake was measured between each clinic visit. To measure body composition, DEXA was used at discharge, term, 12 wk, 6 mo, and 12 mo corrected age. The data were analyzed by ANOVA. At discharge, no differences were noted in patient characteristics between groups A, B, and C. Although energy intakes were similar, protein and mineral intakes differed between groups (A > C > B;p< 0.0001). During the study, weight gain and LM gain were greater in group A than B. At 12 mo, weight, LM, FM, and BMM but not % FM or BMD were greater in group A than B. However, the effects of diet were confined to boys, with no lasting effects seen in girls. In summary, therefore, DEXA was precise enough to detect differences in whole body composition during dietary intervention. Increased weight gain primarily reflected an increase in LM and is consistent with the idea that the preterm formula more closely met protein and/or protein-energy needs in rapidly growing preterm male infants.