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Early postnatal nutrition after preterm birth and cardiometabolic risk factors in young adulthood

Julia Suikkanen1,2, Hanna-Maria Matinolli1,3, Johan G Eriksson1,4,5

  • 1Department of Public Health Solutions, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.

Plos One
|December 29, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Higher early protein and energy intake in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants did not improve adult cardiometabolic risk factors. Instead, increased early intake was linked to higher adult fasting insulin levels, contrary to the study hypothesis.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Cardiology
  • Metabolic Health

Background:

  • Adults born preterm with very low birthweight (<1500 g) often exhibit suboptimal cardiometabolic risk profiles.
  • Previous research indicated higher early protein intake correlates with healthier adult body composition.
  • This study investigated if early nutrition influences long-term cardiometabolic health in VLBW individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the hypothesis that higher early protein intake in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants predicts a favorable adult cardiometabolic profile.
  • To examine the association between early life energy and macronutrient intake and adult cardiometabolic risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 125 unimpaired individuals born preterm at VLBW between 1978-1985.
  • Collected postnatal nutrition data during the first three 3-week periods of life.
  • Used multiple linear regression to assess the impact of early nutrition on cardiometabolic risk factors at mean ages of 22.5 and 25.1 years, with adjustments for confounding factors.

Main Results:

  • Early macronutrient and energy intakes were not associated with adult blood pressure, heart rate, or lipid levels.
  • No association was found with fasting glucose or most other glucose metabolism markers.
  • Higher protein intake (1 g/kg/day) in the first three weeks predicted a 37.6% increase in adult fasting insulin levels; higher energy intake (10 kcal/kg/day) predicted an 8.6% increase, with similar effects on the homeostasis model assessment index.

Conclusions:

  • Contrary to the hypothesis, higher early macronutrient and energy intake in VLBW infants was associated with higher fasting insulin concentrations in young adulthood.
  • Early nutrition did not predict improved cardiometabolic risk factors like blood pressure or lipid profiles.
  • These findings suggest a complex relationship between early nutrition and long-term metabolic health in VLBW individuals.
Abstract

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