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Nutrition of preterm infants in relation to bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Andreas Wemhöner1, Daniel Ortner, Edda Tschirch

  • 1Medical University Innsbruck, Department for Pediatrics, Neonatology, Austria. andreas.wemhoener@web.de

BMC Pulmonary Medicine
|February 5, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) risk increased with insufficient enteral nutrition in premature infants. Early and adequate enteral feeding is crucial for preventing BPD development in vulnerable newborns.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) pathogenesis is multifactorial, influenced by prenatal inflammation and postnatal malnutrition.
  • Nutritional status significantly impacts lung development in premature infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between nutritional intake and the development of BPD in premature infants.
  • To identify critical nutritional thresholds associated with BPD risk.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 95 premature infants (<31 weeks, birth weight ≤1500 g) during the first two weeks of life.
  • Evaluation of total, enteral, and parenteral nutrition, alongside weight gain.
  • Comparison of nutritional intake between infants with and without BPD.

Main Results:

  • Infants who developed BPD received significantly less enteral nutrition (456 ml/kg vs. 685 ml/kg).
  • Lower cumulative caloric and protein intake, and higher fluid intake above 1840 ml/kg, were associated with increased BPD risk.
  • Infants without BPD reached 50% enteral feeding faster (9.6 days vs. 11.5 days).

Conclusions:

  • A minimal amount of enteral feeding appears critical for preventing BPD in preterm infants.
  • While parenteral nutrition can compensate, insufficient enteral intake is linked to BPD development.
  • Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the necessity of specific enteral feeding volumes.
Abstract

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