50 years ago in the Journal of Pediatrics: A study of premature infants fed cold formula

摘要

Despite the use of complex statistical analyses and detailed behavioral assessments, making conclusions about the effect of routine neonatal care remains challenging. In their report, Holt et al investigated the common belief that infant formula should be warmed to body temperature with each feeding. They observed no significant difference in feeding intolerance or behavior in infants fed either warmed or cold formula. Although they did find a statistically significant increase in the variability of body temperature among infants fed cold formula, no more than 1.2°F, they ultimately concluded that warming the formula did not appear to be "advantageous to the infant." Among the more alarming findings was the inconsistency in temperature of the heated milk, from 34° C to 51°C, thus demonstrating that the age-old method of testing milk on one's wrist is unreliable. The current practice has evolved only modestly and varies from institution to institution based on the type of feeding and required preparation.