In preterm formulas, what is the carbohydrate composition?

In preterm formulas, what is the carbohydrate composition?

• A. 40-50% lactose; remainder glucose polymers
• B. 60-70% lactose; remainder glucose polymers
• C. 0% lactose; remainder glucose polymers
• D. 100% lactose

Answer: (A)

In preterm formulas, the carbohydrate mix balances palatability, energy delivery, and immature digestion. Lactose is kept as the primary carbohydrate because it supports growth and calcium absorption, but a portion is replaced with glucose polymers (such as maltodextrins) to ease digestion and help manage osmolality in a delicate gut. That results in about 40-50% lactose with the remainder being glucose polymers, which is why this composition best fits how preterm formulas are designed. Higher lactose proportions or complete absence of lactose are not typical because they can affect tolerance and energy delivery, and a formula with no glucose polymers wouldn’t provide the same ease of digestion for an immature gut.

In preterm formulas, the carbohydrate mix balances palatability, energy delivery, and immature digestion. Lactose is kept as the primary carbohydrate because it supports growth and calcium absorption, but a portion is replaced with glucose polymers (such as maltodextrins) to ease digestion and help manage osmolality in a delicate gut. That results in about 40-50% lactose with the remainder being glucose polymers, which is why this composition best fits how preterm formulas are designed. Higher lactose proportions or complete absence of lactose are not typical because they can affect tolerance and energy delivery, and a formula with no glucose polymers wouldn’t provide the same ease of digestion for an immature gut.