Lora N. Thomas

INFLUENCE OF FORMULA CONCENTRATION ON CALORIC INTAKE AND GROWTH OF NORMAL INFANTS

ABSTRACT: Fomon, S. J., Filer, L. J., Jr, Thomas, L. N., Anderson, T. A. and Nelson, S. E. (Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA). Influence of formula concentration on caloric intake and growth of normal infants. Acta Paediatr Stand, 64:172, 1975.–Fifteen fullterm female infants were enrolled in each of two feeding groups and all but one completed the proposed period of observation to age 112 days. Formulas prepared from the same ingredients (fat‐free milk solids, a mixture of corn and coconut oils, lactose, vitamins and minerals) were fed ad libitum to both groups. Formula concentration was 54 kcal/100 ml for one group and 100 kcal/100 ml for the other. A limited selection of commercially prepared strained foods was permitted after 28 days of age. Weighed intakes of food were recorded for each day of study. During the interval 8 through 41 days of age, the infants fed the 54 kcal/100 ml formula consumed a considerably greater quantity of food but fewer calories than did those fed the 100 kcal/100 ml formula. Those fed the 54 kcal/100 ml formula also gained less weight. These differences between feeding groups were statistically significant. After 41 days of age, mean caloric intakes (kcal/kg/day) and rates of gain in weight were similar for the two feeding groups. The data provide a basis for speculation on the possible difference in allocation of calories to growth and non‐growth in the two groups.

Indices of Fatness and Serum Cholesterol at Age Eight Years in Relation to Feeding and Growth during Early Infancy

ABSTRACT: During the early months of life, gains in length and weight are more rapid by formula-fed than by breast-fed infants and we and others have speculated that the greater gains of the formula-fed infants are the result of greater food intake. If overfeeding during early infancy resulted in establishment of habits of overeating, or if, for any other reason, diet-induced fatness in infancy persisted into childhood, we might be able to demonstrate differences in fatness in childhood related to mode of feeding (breast or bottle) during infancy. We therefore examined at age 8 years 469 children born in 1966-1971 who had been studied intensely in our unit from 8 to 112 days of age. At age 8 years there were no differences in indices of fatness related to mode of feeding during infancy.Serum concentrations of cholesterol at age 8 years were also of interest because of reports from animal studies that differences in feeding during early life may be responsible for subsequent differences in cholesterol homeostasis. Cholesterol concentrations at age 8 years did not demonstrate significant differences related to mode of feeding during infancy. It is possible, however, that age 8 years is too early for an effect to be demonstrated.

Requirements for protein and essential amino acids in early infancy. Studies with a soy-isolate formula.

Thirteen normal female infants were observed from 8 through 111 days of age while receiving a diet providing 1.62 g of protein per 100 kcal, almost entirely from soy‐isolate. Clinical observations, growth rates and serum concentrations of albumin were similar to those of female infants fed milk‐based formulas providing greater intakes of protein. On the basis of these findings, it is assumed that the requirements for protein and essential amino acids of these infants were no greater than the amounts consumed. Reasons for preferring to express requirements for proteins and amino acids per unit of calorie intake rather than per unit of body weight are presented.

Acceptance of unsalted strained foods by normal infants

Consumption of strained foods by normal four-month-old and seven-month-old infants did not appear to be influenced by whether or not sodium chloride had been added. Daily intakes of sodium by infants were in most cases several times greater when the salted foods (as commercially available) were fed. Since the assortments of unsalted strained foods fed to infants nearly always supply more sodium than does human milk, and since most infants by age 4 months are receiving whole cows milk (which supplies more than 3 times as much sodium as does human milk), there would appear to be no nutritional justification for adding sodium chloride to strained foods for infants.

Growth and Serun Chemical Values of Normal Breastfed Infants

One‐hundred‐and‐forty‐nine normal fullterm infants were enrolled during the first 9 days after birth in a study of breastfed infants; 104 (70%) completed the planned 112 days of observation. Lengths and weights at 8, 14, 28, 42, 56, 84 and 112 days of age are presented for each infant. Rates of gain in length and weight between various ages are summarized and some patterns of growth of individual infants are discussed. Serum chemical data at 28, 42, 56, 84 and 112 days of age are presented. Statistically significant sex‐related differences in serum concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides (greater in females than in males) and alkaline phosphatase (greater in males than in females) are demonstrated.

Influence of fat and carbohydrate content of diet on food intake and growth of male infants.

ABSTRACT. Two groups of normal fullterm infants were studied from 8 to 112 days of age while receiving formulas of the same caloric density and prepared from the same ingredients. A limited selection of strained foods was permitted. From the combination of formula and strained foods, one group received 29% of calories from fat and 62% from carbohydrate whereas the other received 57% from fat and 34% from carbohydrate. Fifteen infants in each group completed the study as planned. Energy intakes per kilogram and rates of gain in length and weight were similar in the two feeding groups.