Objectives : To compare merits and demerits of different feeding schedules in newborn with weight between 1000 and 1500 grams in three groups; EBM, EBM with HMF and EBM with preterm formula.

Study Design: Prospective Cohort Study

Study Population: Neonatal Intensive care Unit and Post natal ward of Dhiraj Hospital Piperia

Methodology: 51 VLBW babies were divided into three groups by randomization; one group was offered EBM alone, second group was offered EBM with HMF and the third group was offered EBM with Preterm formula milk powder. Out of the total 51 number of Babies between weight 1000 to 1500 gms, 10 babies were offered EBM only and fortification was done in rest 41 number of babies. HMF was used for fortification in 20 babies and preterm formula was used in 21 babies. HMF and preterm formula was used for fortification in VLBW babies once they have reached to 100ml/kg/day of enteral feeds in a concentration of 0.2gram/2.5 ml. The growth pattern was studied till the duration of their hospital stay.

 Results: There was no feed intolerance found in unfortified group on EBM. Amongst the fortified group feed intolerance was found in 3(14.28%) babies with HMF and among 7(33.33%) babies with preterm formula milk powder. The weight gain was better amongst the fortified group with 18.4±1.9 grams/day with HMF and 19±1.17 with preterm formula as compared to the unfortified group 14.6±1.5. Thus the weight gain among the fortified group was highly significant with the p value being 0.0001.The increase in the head circumference/week was same in all the three groups and no significant difference was found The increase in the length/week was same in all the three groups and there was no significant difference found in all the three groups.

Conclusions: Weight gain was better amongst those where EBM was fortified with HMF and preterm formula.