PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Cooke, R AU - Embleton, N AU - Rigo, J AU - Picaud, JC AU - Ziegler, EE AU - Steenhout, P AU - Haschke, F TI - O-085 Dietary Protein In The Very-low-birth-weight Infant: Multicenter Randomised Controlled Trial To Evaluate The Effects Of Dietary Protein Level On Growth AID - 10.1136/archdischild-2014-307384.153 DP - 2014 Oct 01 TA - Archives of Disease in Childhood PG - A57--A57 VI - 99 IP - Suppl 2 4099 - http://adc.bmj.com/content/99/Suppl_2/A57.1.short 4100 - http://adc.bmj.com/content/99/Suppl_2/A57.1.full SO - Arch Dis Child2014 Oct 01; 99 AB - Background Several studies suggest that formulas with protein content of 3.0 g/100 kcal do not fully meet the protein needs of preterm very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBWI). This study compared growth, protein-energy status and metabolic status in VLBWI fed either a standard- (Std-Pro: 3.0 g/100 kcal) or high- (Hi-Pro: 3.6 g/100 kcal) protein infant formula. Methods Once enteral feeding tolerance was established, infants were randomised to be fed either Std-Pro or Hi-Pro formula for a minimum period of 3 weeks. Dietary intake, serum chemistries and growth were closely monitored during the study. Data were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis using a combination of linear mixed model and ANOVA. Results were considered significant at p < 0.05. Results Sixty-nine infants were enrolled, 51 completed the study. No differences were detected in demographics or energy intakes but protein intake was greater in infants fed Hi-Pro (mean difference: +0.7 g/kg/day, p < 0.0001). No differences were detected in weight gain or body weight but increased protein intake was paralleled by increased blood urea nitrogen (p < 0.001). No differences were detected in weight z-scores but scores in both groups paralleled that in utero. Length z-scores were greater in infants fed Hi-Pro (p < 0.05). As the study progressed, length z-scores did not change in infants fed Hi-Pro, closely paralleling that in utero, but decreased significantly in infants fed Std-Pro (p < 0.0001). Conclusion A dietary protein intake of 3.6 g/100 kcal meets energy and protein needs while an intake of 3.0 g/100 kcal meets energy but not protein needs in rapidly growing preterm VLBWI.