The Basal Metabolism of Prematurity

Scattered through the literature of basal metabolism there are isolated reports of the metabolism findings of premature infants, but up to date no series of cases has been studied consistently showing the characteristics of this type of infant. We are presenting in this communication the basal metabolism of seven of the twenty-two premature infants studied by us during the past year and a half, in its relation to the caloric intake and the weight curves. A search of the literature gives much data in regard to the caloric intake and requirements of premature infants but in no instance have the caloric intake and the basal metabolism been recorded for the same infant. The source of the material used was the Boston Lying-In Hospital and the Children's Department of the Massachusetts General Hospital. The subjects were all examined physically, were all organically sound, but had the characteristic appearance of premature infants,