Objective: To determine the effects of high dietary protein and energy intake on the growth and body\r\ncomposition of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.\r\nStudy design: Thirty-eight VLBW infants whose weights were appropriate for their gestational ages were assessed\r\nfor when they could tolerate oral intake for all their nutritional needs. Thirty-two infants were included in a\r\nlongitudinal, randomized clinical trial over an approximate 28-day period. One control diet (standard preterm\r\nformula, group A, n = 8, 3.7 g/kg/d of protein and 129 kcal/kg/d) and two high-energy and high-protein diets\r\n(group B, n = 12, 4.2 g/kg/d and 150 kcal/kg/d; group C, n = 12, 4.7 g/kg/d and 150 kcal/kg/d) were compared.\r\nDifferences among groups in anthropometry and body composition (measured with bioelectrical impedance\r\nanalysis) were determined. An enriched breast milk group (n = 6) served as a descriptive reference group.\r\nResults: Groups B and C displayed greater weight gains and higher increases in fat-free mass than group A.\r\nConclusion: An intake of 150 kcal/kg/d of energy and 4.2 g/kg/d of protein increases fat-free mass accretion in\r\nVLBW infants.
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