Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis
Published on: August 12, 2020
Effect of late-onset sepsis on energy expenditure in extremely premature infants
Ilana J Torine1, Scott C Denne, Shirley Wright-Coltart
1Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA.
Insights
Total energy expenditure (TEE) significantly increases in extremely premature infants during sepsis, exceeding controls. TEE returns to normal levels during recovery, highlighting the need for adjusted nutritional support.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric critical care
- Metabolic research
Background:
- Extremely premature infants are vulnerable to sepsis.
- Sepsis can significantly impact metabolic demands and growth in neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare total energy expenditure (TEE) in extremely premature infants during and after sepsis.
- To investigate the metabolic impact of sepsis on neonatal growth.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the doubly labeled water method to measure TEE.
- Compared TEE in a sepsis group (SEP) versus an age-matched control group (CTL).
Main Results:
- TEE was significantly higher in the SEP group during sepsis (96 kcal/kg/d) compared to their recovery period (55 kcal/kg/d).
- TEE during sepsis was also significantly greater than in the control group (67 kcal/kg/d).
- TEE in the SEP group during recovery was comparable to the CTL group.
Conclusions:
- Elevated TEE during sepsis in extremely premature infants may hinder growth.
- Nutritional support strategies must account for increased energy demands during neonatal sepsis.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to compare total energy expenditure (TEE) in extremely premature infants during and after an episode of sepsis. We hypothesized that TEE in the sepsis group (SEP) would be higher during the septic period and higher than an age-matched control group (CTL). We further hypothesized that the TEE of the SEP group during the recovery period would be similar to that of the CTL group. The doubly labeled water method was used to determine TEE in both groups. Infant characteristics were as follows: SEP group, n = 10, gestation = 26 +/- 1 wk, birth weight = 854 +/- 218 g; CTL group, n = 10, gestation = 26 +/- 1 wk, birth weight = 880 +/- 158 g. TEE of the SEP group during the septic period was significantly greater than during the recovery period (96 +/- 25 kcal/kg/d versus 55 +/- 17 kcal/kg/d) and significantly greater than the CTL group during the first study period (96 +/- 25 kcal/kg/d versus 67 +/- 12 kcal/kg/d). TEE in the SEP group during the recovery period was similar to the CTL group. These increases in TEE may contribute to impaired growth and need to be considered when providing nutritional support for extremely premature infants.
