Different pre-term formulas for different pre-term infants.

Optimal nutrition is one of the most important aspects in the care of pre-term infants, especially for the gestationally youngest ones. These infants should receive a supply of nutrients that can sustain growth similar to that of a third trimester normal foetus. Traditional pre-term formulas do not ensure an optimal protein supply except when fed at high volumes, with an excess of fat and carbohydrates.

Galacto-oligosaccharides are bifidogenic and safe at weaning: a double-blind randomized multicenter study.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to determine the bifidogenic effect of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) in a follow-on formula and the effects on other intestinal bacteria. Secondary objectives were the effects on stool characteristics, growth, and general well-being.

Participants And Methods: In a multicenter, double-blind study, 159 healthy infants, formula-fed at enrollment (at 4-6 months), were randomized to an experimental follow-on formula supplemented with 5 g/L (GOS) (77 infants), or to a standard follow-on formula (control, 82 infants).

Which role for prebiotics at weaning?

It is now generally recognized that the intestinal microflora plays a key role for human health and well being. In fact, the gut ecosystem is involved in a number of biologic functions, such as direct and indirect antipathogen activity (nutritive competition, reduction of pH, production of short-chain fatty acids, maturation and protection of the mucosal barrier, etc), synthesis of vitamins, detoxification of potentially harmful substances, and maturation and regulation of the immune system. Weaning represents a crucial step in the development of the intestinal flora and, at the same time, corresponds to a very delicate phase of immunologic maturation.

Complementary feeding practices in preterm infants: an observational study in a cohort of Italian infants.

Background: There are no evidence-based guidelines for weaning preterm infants, and the timing of weaning and the diet offered tend to reflect tradition and marketing rather than medical advice.

Procedures: In a survey of complementary feeding practices in preterm infants conducted at the University Hospital of Ferrara, Italy, we evaluated the effect of sex, gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), and milk feeding, and of the mother's age, education, and professional status, on weaning.

Results: Complete data were available for 156 infants.

Weaning preterm infants: an open issue.

Survival rates for very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight infants have substantially increased during the past few decades. Most of these infants pose new and difficult problems related in particular to neurodevelopmental outcome and growth impairment. In fact, a high percentage of very low birth weight infants fail to achieve their growth potential and experience postnatal growth restriction.

Z-score of weight for age of infants with atopic dermatitis and cow's milk allergy fed with a rice-hydrolysate formula during the first two years of life.

Background: Recently, rice-based formulas have been widely used in hypoallergenic diets, but data on nutritional values are scarce.

Aim: To evaluate the growth of infants fed with a rice-based hydrolysate formula, compared to those infants fed with a soy formula or an extensively hydrolysed casein formula, in the first 2 y of life.

Methods: A total of 88 infants were enrolled between March 2002 and March 2004.

Considerations and approaches in determining the protein and energy composition of preterm infant formulas.

Optimal early nutritional support is considered a crucial issue in the care of the preterm infant, particularly of those with very low- or extremely low-brithweight. Unfortunately, this goal is seldom satisfactorily attained. Several conditions such as hypoxia, acidosis, patent ductus arteriosus, drug therapy, reduced intestinal motility may interfere with an adequate nutritional delivery in the early neonatal period.

Galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides as prebiotics in infant formulas: a review.

Unlabelled: The present review summarizes clinical and experimental data concerning the possible effects of a prebiotic mixture of short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides. The results from several studies, made up of over 400 preterm and term infants, clearly demonstrate that the prebiotic mixture under examination specifically stimulates the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli and reduces the growth of pathogens. As a consequence of the changed intestinal flora by the dietary galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides, the faecal pH values and the short-chain fatty acid pattern were similar to those found in breastfed infants.