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Late metabolic acidosis in low-birth-weight babies: report of four cases

R J Teng1, H H Wen, T C Cheung

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, R.O.C.

Zhonghua Minguo Xiao Er Ke Yi Xue Hui Za Zhi [Journal]. Zhonghua Minguo Xiao Er Ke Yi Xue Hui
|July 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Low-birth-weight infants experiencing metabolic acidosis showed improved weight gain after receiving sodium bicarbonate. This intervention proved effective even when using specialized premature formulas.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Low-birth-weight infants often face challenges in postnatal weight gain.
  • Metabolic acidosis is a critical condition that can impede infant development.

Observation:

  • Four low-birth-weight infants failed to regain birth weight despite adequate formula intake.
  • Blood gas analysis confirmed metabolic acidosis in all observed infants.

Findings:

  • Supplementation with sodium bicarbonate to formula led to significant improvements in infant weight gain.
  • Metabolic acidosis persisted in three infants even with specialized premature formula, suggesting complex underlying causes.

Implications:

  • Sodium bicarbonate may be a crucial therapeutic agent for managing metabolic acidosis in low-birth-weight infants.
  • Further research is needed to understand the persistent metabolic acidosis in some premature infants and optimize nutritional strategies.

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