Growth of Preterm Infants Fed a Infant Milk Formula Containing High Versus Low Amounts of Beta-palmitate

Growth of Preterm Infants Fed a Infant Milk Formula Containing High Versus Low Amounts of Beta-palmitate

A Randomized, Multicenter, Controlled Clinical Trial to Assess Weight Gain of Preterm Infants Fed a New Infant Milk Formula Containing High Amounts of Beta-palmitate Versus a Standard Infant Milk Formula Containing Low Amounts of Beta-palmitate

The aim of this study is to assess weight gain of preterm infants (gestational age lower than 32 weeks) fed infant milk formula with about 60% beta-palmitate (EX_IMF) vs infant milk formula with similar macronutrient, mineral and fatty acid composition but lower amounts of beta-palmitate (ST_IMF). Own mother milk (OMM) fed infants will serve as reference group.

A large number of low birth weight infants during their hospital stay experience poor growth and this has been linked to reduced neurodevelopment scores. Several enriched infant milk formulas are available for preterm infants who cannot be fed human milk. The use of infant milk formulas (IMF) enriched with triglycerides similar to human milk lipids have shown to be associated with better fatty acid and mineral intestinal absorption. In this multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial, preterm infants (gestational age lower than 32 weeks), who can not be fed human milk, will be randomized to receive IMF with high or low amounts of beta-palmitate (about 60% vs 10%, respectively). A non-randomized own human milk-fed group will be included as a reference. Patients will be on the study diet as soon as possible after birth and till 36 weeks of gestation. Neurodevelopment follow-up will be performed at 24 months corrected age.

For 1 consecutive day at 32, 34 and then at 36 weeks of gestational age or until discharge if this occurred before.

For 1 consecutive day at 32, 34 and then at 36 weeks of gestational age or until discharge if this occurred before..

Stooling pattern will be reported by the parents according to on the Bristol stool form scale (consistency).

Urinary dicarboxylic acids will be measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (mmol/mol of creatinine).

At 32, 34 and 36 weeks of gestational age or until discharge if this occurred before and then at 24 months of corrected age..

At 32, 34 and 36 weeks of gestational age or until discharge if this occurred before and then at 24 months of corrected age.

At 32, 34 and 36 weeks of gestational age or until discharge if this occurred before and then at 24 months of corrected age.

Number of bifidobacteria per gram of feces will be measured by using fluorescent in situ hybridization.

The incidence of gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal distension, gastric residuals, reflux and vomiting.

The incidence of complications of prematurity such as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL), sepsis, and cholestasis.

Plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP, IU/L), aspartate transaminase (AST, IU/L), alanine aminotransferase (ALT, IU/L) and gamma glutamyltranspeptidase concentrations (γ-GT, IU/L).

hypo/hypernatremia, hypo/hyperkalemia, hypo/hyperchloremia, hypo/hypercalcemia, hypo/hyperparathyroidism, metabolic acidosis, hypo/hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridemia and elevated urea.

Inclusion Criteria: gestational age between 24 and 32 weeks of gestation at enrollment, birth weight greater than 750 grams, singleton or twin birth (no triplet or higher), fraction of inspired oxygen lower than 0.60 at enrollment, feasible enteral feeding, cardiovascular stable condition, informed consent form signed by at least one parent or legal guardian. Exclusion Criteria: congenital malformations, genetic, metabolic and endocrine disorders, suspicious infection at enrollment, intrauterine growth restriction (<10th centile) at enrollment, maternal diabetes requiring insulin therapy, neonatal asphyxia.

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