OBJECTIVEAdequate nutrition is paramount for premature infants. Longitudinal information is scant on the effects of early nutrition and later growth. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of early energy and protein provision in premature infants on adolescent body composition and blood pressure.

METHODSIn 2007-2008 we obtained data from 36 male (12.3±1.7 years) and 25 female (11.5±1.8 years) adolescents born preterm at <34 weeks gestation (range 23-34 weeks) between October 1st 1989 and December 31st 1995 (birth weight <1850 g). The adolescents were divided into groups depending on infant intake mode (enteral vs parenteral), energy provision (<70 kcal/kg/d and ≥70 kcal/kg/d) and protein provision (>2.5 g/kg/d for ≥5 days and >2.5 g/kg/d for <5 days) during the first 14 days of life.

RESULTSAfter controlling for birth weight and biological maturity, adolescents who received ≥70 kcal/kg/d during infancy were significantly taller (163±11 cm vs. 156±11 cm) and heavier (58±16 kg vs. 49±16 kg) than adolescents who received <70 kcal/kg/d. There were no significant differences in systolic and diastolic BP and total percent body fat between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSOur data suggests that higher infant energy provision appears to be related to adolescent size, it does not appear to contribute to adverse risk factors such as higher systolic BP or increased body fat.