Prevention of Myopia of Prematurity by Calcium Supplementation

• Supplementation of Ca by the enteral route to ELBW infants will lead to an increased cycloplegic refraction at 6-12 months postnatal age. [ Time Frame: 6-12 months postnatal age ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

• Supplementation of Ca will lead to increased cycloplegic refraction at 18-22 months corrected age. [ Time Frame: 18-22 months corrected age ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Supplementation of Ca will lead to an increased cycloplegic refraction at 6-12 months postnatal age and at 18-22 months corrected age in infants who had no abdominal surgery or prolonged feeding intolerance [ Time Frame: 6 months postnatal age to 18-22 months corrected age ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Supplementation of Ca will reduce the dolichocephalic deformation of the infants' heads as measured by the FOD/BPD index. [ Time Frame: 18-22 months corrected age ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Supplementation of Ca will reduce the incidence of fractures. [ Time Frame: birth to discharge ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Supplementation of Ca will not increase the incidence of NEC stage 2A or greater. [ Time Frame: birth to discharge ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Supplementation of Ca will not increase the incidence of feeding intolerance. [ Time Frame: birth to discharge ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Supplementation of Ca is not associated with a change in the incidence of ROP. [ Time Frame: birth to full vascularization of the retina ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  
• Supplementation of Ca will increase bone mineral density at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (only relevant if measurement is available). [ Time Frame: 36 weeks postmenstrual age ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

All infants admitted meeting the 401-1000gm birthweight and less than 14 day of age entry criteria will be screened for entry into the study. Infants may be excluded for the following: Major congenital malformations, including complex congenital heart disease (except open ductus arteriosus, atrial and ventricular septal defects), pulmonary malformations, bowel or anal stenosis or atresia, renal dysplasias, chromosomal anomalies, hydrops fetalis, bowel perforation or necrotizing enterocolitis stage 2A or greater before randomization.

Written informed consent of one parent or legal guardian must be obtained. The infants are randomized to receive unsupplemented feedings of breast milk or formula, or feedings supplemented with Ca-gluconate as outlined below.

Randomization will be stratified into the following groups: 401-750 g and 751-1000 g and performed according to a balanced block scheme with variable block size (2-6) using sealed opaque envelopes.

Total parenteral nutrition is given by nursery unit standards. Infant positioning is done by nursery unit standards.

Feeding mixtures:

Supplementation is started when enteral feeding amounts to 100 ml/kg. At that time, fortification is also introduced in infants receiving breast milk. Fortified human milk or 24 cal/oz formula, e.g. Similac Special Care 24 (SSC24), is used in all participating infants. Human milk is fortified with 1 pk Enfamil human milk fortifier per 25 ml (BMHMF).

Control group: Fortified human milk or 24 cal/oz formula. Supplemented group: Ca-gluconate powder (molar weight 430.4 g) will be measured with household measuring spoons (e.g. Rubbermaid (R)) and added to the feeding mixtures.

One eye exam will be performed at 6-12 months during routine follow-up visit. A second eye exam will be performed at 18-2 months during a follow-up visit which is part of the NICHD newborn follow-up clinic. Head measurements, specifically, front-to-back and side-to-side will be measured at randomization, 36 weeks postmenstrual age or discharge, whichever occurs first, and during the follow up visits. Urinalysis will be collected weekly.