[Supplementation of maternal milk with calcium and phosphorus for the feeding of premature neonates weighing 1500 g or less. How long should it be continued?].

Feeding four preterm infants weighing less than or equal to 1,500 g with human milk supplemented with calcium (160-200 mg/kg/day) and phosphorus (80-200 mg/kg/day) until term postmenstrual age was reached, and suitable levels of plasma calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase and urinary excretion index of calcium and phosphorus were attained. When such a supplementation was suppressed at 38-40 weeks of postmenstrual age a rapid onset of biochemical disturbances was observed: a rise of plasma calcium (p less than 0.025) and alkaline phosphatase (p less than 0.0025) with a decrease of plasma phosphorus (p less than 0.005) and of urinary phosphate excretion (p less than 0.002). Reincorporation to former supplemented regime results in quick recovery of these parameters. Authors can assert that the necessity of calcium and phosphorus supplementation of human milk for less than or equal to 1.500 g preterm infant feeding exceeds the term postmenstrual age if suitable calcium and phosphorus levels are to be obtained.