Abstract
Carbohydrate and fat may vary in their ability to support protein accretion and growth. If so, variations in the source of nonprotein energy might be used to therapeutic advantage in enterally fed low-birth-weight infants. To test the hypothesis that high-carbohydrate diets are more effective than isocaloric high-fat diets in promoting growth and protein accretion, low-birth-weight infants weighing 750–1600 g at birth were randomized in a double blind study to receive one of five formulas differing only in the quantity and quality of nonprotein energy. Groups 1, 2, and control received 130 kcal·kg−1·d−1 with 35, 65, and 50% of the nonprotein energy as carbohydrate. Groups 3 and 4 received energy intake of 155 kcal·kg−1·d−1 with 35 and 65% of the nonprotein energy as carbohydrate. Protein intake of all groups was 4 g·kg−1·d−1. Growth and metabolic responses were followed weekly, and macronutrient balances including 6-h indirect calorimetry were performed biweekly. Greater rates of weight gain and nitrogen retention were observed at high-carbohydrate intake compared with high-fat intake at both gross energy intakes. Greater rates of energy storage and an increase in skinfold thickness were observed in group 4 (high-energy high-carbohydrate diet) despite higher rates of energy expenditure. These data support the hypothesis that at isocaloric intakes, carbohydrate is more effective than fat in enhancing growth and protein accretion in enterally fed low-birth-weight infants. However, a diet with high-energy and high-carbohydrate content also results in increased fat deposition.
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Abbreviations
- LBW:
-
low birth weight
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank the nurses of the Pediatric General Clinical Research Center and the Neonatal Unit at Babies and Children's Hospital of New York for their expertise, and Robert Sciacca and Steve Holleran for help with data analysis.
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Supported by NIH Grants HD 27564, RR00645, and HD 13063.
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Kashyap, S., Ohira-Kist, K., Abildskov, K. et al. Effects of Quality of Energy Intake on Growth and Metabolic Response of Enterally Fed Low-Birth-Weight Infants. Pediatr Res 50, 390–397 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200109000-00015
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200109000-00015
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