The application of redissolved human milk lyophilisate for nutrition of very low birth weight infants.

In the second month of life the nitrogen and fat balances were studied in 21 very low birth weight infants fed with native human milk or redissolved human milk lyophilizate. Caused by fat losses during the lyophilization procedure and decreased fat absorption rate as consequence of heating of the milk before lyophilization, the available energy is significantly lower in infants fed with redissolved human milk lyophilizate than in those fed with native human milk. The reduced energy intake leads to a decreased protein utilization, as well as to a poor weight gain. In addition, hyperaminoacidaemia and hyperaminoaciduria appear in these infants. Thus, supplementation with medium-chain triglycerides must be recommended if redissolved human milk lyophilizate is used for feeding very low birth weight infants.