Effect of Increased Enteral Protein on Body Composition of Preterm Infants

Effect of Increased Enteral Protein on Body Composition of Preterm Infants: A Randomized Trial

The study hypothesis is that, in human milk-fed extremely preterm infants, higher protein intake compared to usual protein intake reduces percent body fat (%BF) at 3 months of age.

Qualifying participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard protein supplementation (control group) or high protein supplementation (intervention group).

Intervention group: A fixed amount of commercially available hydrolyzed bovine protein will be added to fortified human milk after establishment of full enteral feeding.

Control group: Hydrolyzed bovine protein will not be added to fortified human milk after establishment of full enteral feeding.

If parent agrees, stool "dirty" diapers will be collected 2 times (at the time of hospital discharge and at 3 months of corrected age).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Gestational age between 25 and 28 weeks of gestation
• Feeding volumes of ≥120 ml/kg/day before or on postnatal day 14.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) stage 2 or greater.
• Gastrointestinal or neurologic malformations.
• Terminal illness needing to limit or withhold support will be exclusion criteria.