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Postnatal malnutrition of extremely low birth-weight infants with catch-up growth postdischarge
Kimberly D Ernst1, Paula G Radmacher, Salisa T Rafail
1Department of Neonatology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 571 S. Floyd Street, Suite 342, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
Insights
Nutritional deficits in extremely low birth-weight (BW) infants impact growth. Optimizing feeding practices is crucial for improving postnatal development in these vulnerable newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition
- Pediatric growth and development
Background:
- Extremely low birth-weight (BW) infants often experience suboptimal nutritional intake.
- Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) is a common complication in these infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the nutritional intake and subsequent growth patterns of extremely low birth-weight infants.
- To identify the impact of current feeding practices on infant growth.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 69 extremely low BW infants, stratified by birth weight (< or =750 g and 751-1000 g).
- Collection of dietary intake, weight, and head circumference (HC) data through discharge and at 1-month follow-up.
- Weekly calculation of nutrient intake deficits and descriptive comparison of growth parameters.
Main Results:
- Energy and protein deficits were more pronounced in lower birth-weight infants.
- Both groups demonstrated extrauterine growth retardation during hospitalization.
- Post-discharge, infants showed increased rates of weight gain and HC growth, with some catch-up growth observed.
Conclusions:
- Current feeding protocols lead to significant energy and protein deficits, especially in the smallest infants.
- Modifying feeding strategies is essential to mitigate these deficits and enhance postnatal growth in extremely low BW infants.
Objective:
To assess nutritional intakes and subsequent growth of extremely low birth-weight (BW) infants.
Study Design:
Chart review of 69 extremely low BW infants stratified into two groups by BW: < or =750 g (group 1; n=27) or 751 to 1000 g (group 2; n=42). Dietary intakes, weights, and head circumferences (HC) were collected through discharge and at 1 month postdischarge. The differences between goals and intakes were calculated weekly during hospitalization. Descriptive comparisons were made between growth parameters at birth, discharge, and follow-up.
Results:
Total energy and protein deficits were inversely related to BW. Both groups exhibited extrauterine growth retardation while hospitalized. After discharge, the rates of weight gain and HC growth increased, leading to some growth recovery at follow-up.
Conclusions:
Existing feeding methods resulted in sizeable deficits in energy and protein, particularly for the smallest infants. Changing current practices to limit these deficits is essential to improving postnatal growth.
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