Nutrition of the very low birth weight newborn infant (less than 1500 g). Experience with a formula for the premature infant

: After a short review on the topic of nutrition of very low-birth-weight infants, particularly the very small preterms, results are reported on a trial with an adapted milk for prematures. Subjects involved had a gestational age of 28-34 weeks and weighed less than 1500 g thus representing a sample of very low birth weight babies. By using levels of MCT in the milk, a protein quota of 3, 15 g/Kg/day with 40/60 casein whey-protein ratio, an electrolyte content slightly higher than in most adapted formulas (for fullterm babies) and low osmolarity, good results were obtained for body weight growth, length, head circumference and subcutaneous fat. Growth indices were similar to those typical of the terminal months of intrauterine development as well as a satisfactory overall portrayal of biochemical indices of the nutritional status of VLBW babies.