A Study of Urea and the Major Electrolytes in Relation to Feeding Patterns in Kenyan African Infants seen at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

The levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured in 100 normal infants aged 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The infants were grouped into three feeding patterns: breast fed only, formula fed only, and combined breast and formula feeding. Associated variations in BUN and electrolytes were sought among the three feeding patterns. No differences were found in sodium, potassium, choride or calcium levels. Formula fed infants had significantly higher BUN levels when compared with breast fed infants and with infants on combined feeds. Calculated osmolarity was slightly higher in formula fed infants than in the other groups, but these differences were not significant.