RESPONSE OF PREMATURE INFANTS TO HUMAN MILK AND TWO TYPES OF COW'S MILK FORMULAE.

Abstract

The response of thirty-four premature infants to human breast milk and two types of cow's milk formulae has been investigated. The three milk mformulae were well tolerated. There was no significant difference among the babies in the bulk, frequency and consistency of their stools. The average daily weight gain among infants fed on a 'humanized' cow's milk formula (S-26) closely paralleled that of another group of infants fed on human breast milk. The average daily weight gain among infants fed on a non-humanized cow's milk (Lactogen) was generally satisfactory although lower than that obtained from the other two groups of infants. It is concluded that human breast milk or a cow's milk formula with composition similar to human milk contains the optimal contents of nutrients necessary for the rapid growth of premature infants.