The protein requirement of infants at the age of about 1 year

Abstract

1. A study has been made of the protein requirements for maintenance and for growth of children about 1 year old who had recovered from malnutrition. 2. The diets used supplied 120kcal/kg daily; the sole source of protein was dried skim milk. 3. The average maintenance requirement, measured by nitrogen balance, was found to be 100 mg N/kg day. At this level of intake the net protein utilization (NPU) of cow's milk protein approached 100. 4. An intake of 200 mg N/kg day was enough to produce normal growth and N retention. 5. The amount of N retained was 2.9 g/100 g weight gain, indicating that no excess of fat was being laid down. 6. These results are in close agreement with theoretical studies of the protein requirement of children at this age.