The identified trials provide only low quality evidence about the effects of feeding preterm infants  with protein hydrolysate versus st and ard formula .
The existing data did not support conclusions that feeding with protein hydrolysate affects the risk of feed intolerance or necrotising enterocolitis .
BACKGROUND When human milk is not available for feeding preterm infants , protein hydrolysate rather than st and ard cow 's milk formulas ( with intact proteins ) are often used because they are perceived as being tolerated better and less likely to lead to complications .
However , protein hydrolysate formulas are more expensive than st and ard formulas , and concern exists that their use in practice is not supported by high- quality evidence .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of feeding preterm infants with hydrolysed formula ( versus st and ard cow 's milk formulas )  on the risk of feed intolerance , necrotising enterocolitis , and  other morbidity and mortality in preterm infants .
Gastric Electrical Activity and Gastric Emptying in Preterm Newborns Fed Standard and Hydrolysate Formulas
Background Because infant formulas containing hydrolyzed cow milk protein are used to reduce feeding intolerance and to improve gastric emptying , the effect on gastrointestinal motility of a hydrolysate formula was compared with that of a st and ard preterm formula . Methods Thirty-six preterm newborns with a gestational age of 32.2 ± 2.3 weeks were assigned r and omly to st and ard formula or hydrolyzed formula .  Cutaneous electrogastrography and ultrasound examination of gastric emptying were performed simultaneously to evaluate gastrointestinal motility before and after the test meal . All recording sessions were performed 1 week after infants had reached full enteral feeding . Results No significant difference in gastrointestinal symptoms was noted in the newborns fed the different formulas . In particular , regurgitation and vomiting were observed in 78 % versus 64 % of preterm newborns after st and ard and hydrolyzed formula , respectively ( Fisher exact test , not significant ) . No differences were found in terms of gastric electrical activity and gastric emptying time between the two groups . Conclusions It seems unnecessary to use hydrolysate formulas to improve motility in preterm infants
The identified trials provide only low quality evidence about the effects of feeding preterm infants  with protein hydrolysate versus st and ard formula .
The existing data did not support conclusions that feeding with protein hydrolysate affects the risk of feed intolerance or necrotising enterocolitis .
BACKGROUND When human milk is not available for feeding preterm infants , protein hydrolysate rather than st and ard cow 's milk formulas ( with intact proteins ) are often used because they are perceived as being tolerated better and less likely to lead to complications .
However , protein hydrolysate formulas are more expensive than st and ard formulas , and concern exists that their use in practice is not supported by high- quality evidence .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of feeding preterm infants with hydrolysed formula ( versus st and ard cow 's milk formulas )  on the risk of feed intolerance , necrotising enterocolitis , and  other morbidity and mortality in preterm infants .