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Bone status in preterm infant: influences of different nutritional regimens and possible markers of bone disease
M Meneghelli1, A Pasinato1, S Salvadori1
1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Women's and Children's Health Department, University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Insights
Aggressive parenteral nutrition in preterm infants promotes better growth and bone development. Early nutritional support is crucial for improving bone status in premature babies.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Bone Metabolism
Background:
- Parenteral nutrition (PN) is essential for preterm infants, but its impact on bone development requires further investigation.
- Identifying reliable markers for bone status in preterm neonates is critical for optimizing their long-term health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of different parenteral nutrition regimens on growth and bone development in preterm infants.
- To identify potential biomarkers for evaluating bone status in this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 234 preterm infants receiving two distinct nutritional regimens.
- Metacarpus bone transmission time (mc-BTT) measurements at birth, 21 days, and 36 weeks of gestational age (GA).
- Biochemical analyses and correlation of growth parameters with bone status markers.
Main Results:
- Infants with aggressive nutrition showed improved growth rates and higher mc-BTT values.
- Mc-BTT at 21 days correlated positively with nutritional intake and phosphatemia.
- Low early energy intake and low serum phosphate levels at 21 days were associated with reduced mc-BTT at 36 weeks GA.
Conclusions:
- Aggressive parenteral nutrition positively influences growth and bone status in preterm infants in the short to medium term.
- Early nutritional interventions appear to play a significant role in bone development for preterm neonates.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to evaluate possible influences of parenteral nutrition on growth and bone development in preterms and to search for markers of bone status.
Study Design:
Metacarpus bone transmission time (mc-BTT) was performed at birth, 21 days and 36 weeks of gestational age (GA) in preterms, receiving two different nutritional regimens, together with biochemical analysis.
Result:
A total of 234 patients were studied. Newborns with aggressive nutrition had significantly better growth rate and higher values of mc-BTT until discharge. Mc-BTT at day 21 correlates positively with nutritional intakes and phosphatemia; lower limb length positively correlated with mc-BTT (P<0.01). Newborns with low energy intake in the first week of life (<70 kcal kg(-1) per day) and low serum phosphate level (<1.4 mmol l(-1)) at 21 days had lower mc-BTT at 36 weeks of GA (P<0.01).
Conclusion:
Aggressive parenteral intakes in preterms improve growth and bone status in the short-medium term, suggesting that early nutrition could influence bone development.
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