Human Milk Lacto-Engineering: Growth Nitrogen Metabolism, and Energy Balance in Preterm Infants

ABSTRACT. Fourteen 3-day metabolic balance studies were carried out in 8 healthy male preterm infants (birthweight 1270±170 g, gestational age 30±2 weeks) fed 183±7 ml/kg/day of a human milk formula made of incompletely skimmed human milk enriched with lyophilized whole human milk, minerals, medium chain triglycerides and linoleate. Daily intakes per kilo bodyweight were for protein 3.5±0.3 g, fat 7.0±2.1 g, and energy 573±88 kj (137 kcal). Weight gain was 29±5 g per day and nitrogen retention was 317±52 mg/kg/day. Fat absorption was 76± 12 %. Renal acid and solute loads were low and there was no metabolic acidosis, hyperazotemia or hyperaminoacidemia, except for tyrosine. It is concluded that preterm infants fed a human milk formula have similar growth rates and nitrogen retentions as foetuses in utero or preterm infants fed their own mother's milk.