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Carbohydrate supplementation of human milk to promote growth in preterm infantsKuschel CA, Harding JE
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SummaryCarbohydrate supplementation of human milk to promote growth in preterm infantsNo evidence to show the effect of adding carbohydrate to breast milk to promote growth in babies born preterm. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for full-term babies for at least the first six months of life. Babies born preterm (before 37 weeks) have different nutritional needs and it is possible that premature breast milk may not meet all these needs. Adding carbohydrate to breast milk may help. It may help gain weight, without the problems that can come from protein supplements (see Cochrane review on protein supplements). However carbohydrate supplements may cause diarrhea and feeding problems. There have been no published trials evaluating the effect of adding carbohydrate to breast milk to promote growth in preterm babies. More research is needed.
This is a Cochrane review abstract and plain language summary, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration, currently published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009 Issue 4, Copyright © 2009 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).
This version first published online:
April 26. 1999 AbstractBackgroundThis section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue. ObjectivesThe main objective was to determine if addition of carbohydrate supplements to human milk leads to improved growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes without significant adverse effects in preterm infants. Search strategyThe standard search strategy of the Neonatal Review Group was used. This includes searches of the Oxford Database of Perinatal Trials, MEDLINE (1966-Apr 2002), Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2002), previous reviews including cross references, abstracts, conferences and symposia proceedings, expert informants, journal handsearching mainly in the English language. Selection criteriaAll trials utilising random or quasi-random allocation evaluating the supplementation of human milk with carbohydrate in preterm infants within a nursery setting were eligible. Data collection and analysisNot applicable. Main resultsNo eligible trials were found. Authors' conclusionsThere are no studies which have specifically evaluated the addition of carbohydrate alone for the purpose of improving growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes. No recommendations for practice can be made. Research should be directed towards comparison of different quantities and types of carbohydrate in multicomponent fortifiers containing protein and minerals, specifically evaluating short-term growth and long-term growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes. |