[Different caloric intake in 75 "low birth weights": effect on weight gain, blood sugar, serum protein, and serum bilirubin (author's transl)].

A prospective study on oral feeding was started in 75 low birth weights (below 2500 g) with adapted milk. Early feeding was given in two groups with different feeding volume and caloric intake. The infants were grouped alternately. Both groups were comparable concerning birth weight, gestational age, and intrauterine growth. Due to partially different variances, covariate correction was applied to analysis of the data. The high caloric group had excellent weight gain, the maximum weight loss was less, and birth weight was regained earlier than in the control group. Blood sugar and serum protein were similar in both groups. Mean serum bilirubin levels were lower in the group with high caloric intake, but differences failed to be significant. Early high caloric feeding was well tolerated and is preferable to parenteral nutrition in low birth weights.