The effect of sodium supplementation on sodium homeostasis in very low birth weight infants fed on own mothers' milk

Abstract

Clinical and biochemical effects of supplementing dietary sodium intake were studied. A group of 66 very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants were recruited in the study. Forty one of these were supplemented with 3 mmol/Kg/day of sodium chloride for six weeks, and twenty five were not. Weekly serum sodium and potassium were assayed in both groups, in addition to urinary electrolytes. Their mothers' breast milk 24 hrs electrolyte content was also determined. Weekly anthropometric measurements (Head circumfrence, weight and length) were also carried out.