Pre-Term Babies Require Dietary Boost to Strengthen Bones
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Photodisc/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — According to a new study, pre-term infants have different diet requirements than full-term infants.
The study, released by the American Academy of Pediatrics and published in the journal Pediatrics, says that babies born premature require additional calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus in order to maintain healthy bones. Particularly for babies under 4.4 pounds, breast milk and formula simply aren’t enough.
Researchers recommend preemies receive 200 to 400 IU per day of vitamin D both during and after hospitalization.
The study determined that pre-term babies have unique bone mineral requirements. Because calcium is accreted in large amounts during the third trimester, pre-term births often require a boost to strengthen their bones.
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