PLASMA MINERAL CONCENTRATIONS IN PRETERM INFANTS FED A NUTRIENT-ENRICHED FORMULA AFTER HOSPITAL DISCHARGE

Objective: io determine whether prolonged feeding of preterm infant formula to preterm infants can accelerate recovery to normal plasma zinc levels without affecting plasma mineral homeostasis. Design: Part of concurrent prospective feeding trials in a university hospital-based population. Subjects and intervention: Preterm infants (n = 33; birth weight, 1037 +/- 157 gm) were fed a preterm infant formula with higher concentrations of zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, and potassium until 2 months past expected term, then a term infant formula. Term infants (n = 38; birth weight, 3318 +/- 401 gm) fed this term infant formula from birth were a reference group for comparison with study infants and with published values, Plasma mineral levels were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Results: Preterm infants fed a preterm infant formula after discharge from the hospital appeared to achieve normal plasma zinc concentrations by at least 2 months past term without adverse effects on mineral homeostasis.