Feeding the premature infant after hospital discharge: growth and biochemical responses.

We conducted a double-blinded, randomized trial in premature infants after hospital discharge to test the hypotheses that growth and biochemical responses in those fed a formula with a reduced protein content (1.3 gm/dl) would be similar to those in infants fed a standard infant formula (protein 1.5 gm/dl). Twenty low birth weight infants were followed for 16 weeks from the time of hospital discharge. Growth (weight, length, and head circumference) and biochemical responses (total protein, prealbumin, retinol-binding protein, and blood urea nitrogen values) were similar in the two groups of infants. Plasma amino acids reflected the differences in protein intakes and were similar to previously reported values for premature infants fed human milk or formula. These results demonstrate similar growth and biochemical responses in preterm infants fed a standard infant formula and a formula with a protein content closer to that of human milk.