Food consumption and growth of normal infants fed milk-based formulas.

Abstract

154 formula-fed infants aged 8 to 112 days (69 males 89 females) were studied during the period January 1966 to April 1970 in order to collect normative data that would be useful for at least 3 purposes: 1) evaluation of other formulas providing 67 kcal/100 ml 2) study of factors affecting food consumption of normal infants and 3) assessment of performance of individual infants suspected of abnormality. Weight of each food consumed by each infant every day was recorded. Volume of intake and caloric intake were determined for each of the following age intervals: 8-13 14-27 28-41 42-55 56-83 and 84-111 days. Body weight and length of each infant were also measured at ages 8 14 28 42 56 84 and 112 days. Data analysis is based on 142 infants for whom complete data were available. 9 formulas were fed to the infants; each supplied 67 kcal/100 ml with protein from cows milk and fat from vegetable oils. Analysis of variance on a sex-specific basis for the age interval 8-111 days showed no statistical signficance (p<0.05) in feeding-related differences with respect to volume of intake caloric intake gain in weight or gain in length. At a specified body weight mean caloric intake was found to be greater among the younger than among older infants. During the interval 8-111 days mean values for males were greater than those for females with respect to the following: volume of intake calorie intake gain in weight and gain in length and gain in weight per unit of gain in length; these sex-related differences were statistically significant at p<0.05. Sex-related differences in gain in weight/unit of caloric intake or gain in length/unit of caloric intake were not statistically significant. The 10th 25th 50th 75th and 90th percentile values for gain in weight are presented for each sex for all age intervals and the same percentile values for gain in length for all age intervals of at least 34 days duration. Regressions of volume of intake on body weight caloric intake on body weight and weight gain are also presented for the various age groups. This study provides a basis for speculating about the partition of calories for growth and maintenance. An estimated 1/3 of caloric intake is utilized for growth during the age interval 8-111 days.