Growth and total body water in premature infants fed 'in-utero' or 'ex-utero'

Total body water and anthropometric measurements were compared in two groups of premature infants. The first group included infants with birthweights less than 1501 g who were fed under usual clinical circumstances and studied at a bodyweight of 1800-2100 g ('Ex-utero'); the second group of infants had a birthweight of 1800 to 2100 g and were studied within the first week of life ('In-utero'). Triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses were significantly greater in 'Ex-utero' infants than in 'In-utero' infants, whereas body length was significantly greater in the latter group compared to the former. There were no differences in total body water, abdominal skinfold thickness, or midarm circumference between the two groups. These data suggest that feeding premature infants a standard premature infant formula under established guidelines leads to differences in body fat distribution but not total body water compared to infants nourished 'in utero'.