Download The Special Nutritional Needs of Premature Infants

*No endorsement of any brand or product by the USDA is implied or intended
The Special Nutritional Needs of Premature Infants
Premature infants are often discharged from the hospital with a body weight well below that of a healthy term infant
at birth2. In fact, studies suggest that premature infants are often discharged weighing little more than half the
appropriate weight for a term infant at the equivalent CA2. At hospital discharge, premature infants often have low
body stores of nutrients and deficient bone mineralization, plus they need more calories1. That makes sense, given
that these babies were born early and without the benefit of the last few weeks of development in the womb. In one
study, to be considered premature, the requirement for inclusion was a birth weight below 1750 g2.
In the hospital, premature infants receive specially designed preterm infant formulas designed to meet their increased
nutritional needs2. They can’t usually stay on these formulas when released from the hospital, however, because there
is a real possibility that these concentrated formulas would give them too high levels of some fat-soluble vitamins,
which could be dangerous2.
Therefore, special nutrient-enriched post-discharge formulas have been developed2. They provide the extra vitamins
and nutrients premature infants need, like more protein and calcium. A double-blind, randomized study conducted by
Carver et al evaluated the growth of premature infants with birth weights <1800 g who were fed a nutrient-enriched
formula (22 Calories/fl oz) or a term formula (20 Calories/fl oz) from hospital discharge to 12 months’ CA1. The results
showed that growth was improved in premature infants fed a nutrient-enriched post-discharge formula after hospital
discharge to 12 months’ CA1.
It is likely that both breastfed and formula-fed premature infants will need nutritional supplementation after hospital
discharge2. So it makes sense for this to be a post-discharge formula like Enfamil® EnfaCare®, rather than a standard
term formula2 and to have moms continue it until 9 to 12 months’ CA1,2.
The Enfamil EnfaCare Differences
Enfamil EnfaCare has a more nutrient-dense composition than Enfamil PREMIUM® and was designed to provide
added nutrients in the same caloric density, so a premature infant can receive extra nutrients in the same quantity
of formula. This can be especially important in tiny stomachs.
Protein:
The level of protein in Enfamil EnfaCare is 2.8 g/100 Calories, which is 33% more protein than that in Enfamil
PREMIUM formulas.
Calcium:
The calcium level of Enfamil EnfaCare is 120 mg/100 Calories, which is 54% more calcium than that in Enfamil
PREMIUM formulas. The calcium:phosphorus ratio is about 1.8:1, similar to that of human milk*.
*Data on file, Mead Johnson Nutritionals, October 2005.
Weight444
12
Length, cm
Weight, kg
10
8
6
4
2
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85
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65
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55
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*No endorsement of any brand or product by the USDA is implied or intended
118 weeks PMA
(~18 months corrected age)
The Importance of DHA Levels
Enfamil formulas with DHA and ARA
‡
**
79 weeks PMA
(~9 months corrected age)
Breastfed, full-term infants
‡
Enfamil® Premature, Enfamil EnfaCare and Enfamil PREMIUM® Infant before the addition of prebiotics.
PMA = postmenstrual age
Enfamil® EnfaCare® has a DHA level similar to the average worldwide level of breast milk†.
†Average level of DHA in worldwide breast milk is 0.32%±0.22% (mean ± standard deviation of total fatty acids) based on an analysis of 65 studies of 2474 women.
Weight444
12
Length, cm
10
Weight, kg
Premature infants fed
Enfamil EnfaCare, in
a program of Enfamil
formulas‡, achieved
growth similar to that of
healthy breastfed infants4
8
6
4
2
Length444
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
45
118 weeks PMA
(~18 months corrected age)
79 weeks PMA
(~9 months corrected age)
Enfamil formulas with DHA and ARA
‡
**
Breastfed, full-term infants
‡
Enfamil® Premature, Enfamil EnfaCare and Enfamil PREMIUM® Infant before the addition of prebiotics.
PMA = postmenstrual age
Nourish the brain to
help premature infants
achieve developmental
milestones4
Mental Development Index (MDI)4,§
Psychomotor Development Index (PDI)4,§
Studied at 18 months
95
95
90
90
85
P=0.056
80
Studied at 18 months
100
Score
Score
100
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85
80
75
75
0
0
Enfamil formulas with DHA and ARA‡
Control discontinued Enfamil formulas without DHA and ARA
‡Enfamil® Premature, Enfamil EnfaCare and Enfamil PREMIUM® Infant before the addition of prebiotics.
§Some infants in this study were fed formulas supplemented with DHA from a fish source, but data are not shown in the graph.
Post-discharge Nutrition
Mental Development Index (MDI)4,§
Psychomotor Development Index (PDI)4,§
85
P=0.056
Score
Score
1
Premature infants are discharged increasingly earlier
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important. Studies show post-discharge formulas
are successful in promoting growth when continued until
9 to 12 months1,2. That’s why continuing to95 feed Enfamil EnfaCare is so important. It’s 95
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90
90
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Moms can trust Enfamil EnfaCare to nourish
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75
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References: 1. Carver JD, et al. Pediatrics. 2001;107:683-689.
2. Lucas A, et al. Pediatrics. 2001;108:701-711.
3. Greer FR. Semin Perinatol. 2007;31:89-95.
Enfamil formulas with DHA and ARA‡
Control discontinued Enfamil formulas without DHA and ARA
4. Clandinin MT, et al. J Pediatr. 2005;146:461-468.
‡Enfamil® Premature, Enfamil EnfaCare and Enfamil PREMIUM® Infant before the addition of prebiotics.
§Some infants in this study were fed formulas supplemented with DHA from a fish source, but data are not shown in the graph.