Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Nutritional Assessment in Preterm Infants: A Practical Approach in the NICU
Luis Pereira-da-Silva1,2,3, Daniel Virella4, Christoph Fusch5
1Medicine of Woman, Childhood and Adolescence, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School, Unversidade Nova de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal. l.pereira.silva@nms.unl.pt.
Insights
This study suggests practical methods for assessing nutrition in preterm infants using anthropometrics and biochemical markers. It highlights specific charts and markers for monitoring growth and body composition in intensive care and post-discharge.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal intensive care
- Pediatric nutrition
- Growth monitoring
Background:
- Nutritional assessment is critical for preterm infants in intensive care.
- Standard anthropometric and biochemical markers are often used but require careful application.
- Accurate assessment informs timely interventions for optimal growth and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a practical framework for nutritional assessment in critically ill preterm infants.
- To guide the selection of appropriate anthropometric charts and biochemical markers.
- To improve the monitoring of growth and body composition in this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing specific anthropometric measurements: body weight, mid-upper arm circumference, body length, and head circumference.
- Employing various anthropometric charts (Fenton 2013, Intergrowth-21st) and an online growth calculator.
- Analyzing key biochemical markers: blood urea nitrogen, prealbumin, retinol binding protein, serum alkaline phosphatase, and serum phosphate.
Main Results:
- Different anthropometric charts are recommended for assessing intrauterine growth, intra-hospital weight gain, and post-discharge growth.
- Mid-upper arm circumference and skinfolds offer insights into body adiposity and fat mass.
- Biochemical markers like low blood urea nitrogen and specific enzyme levels can indicate protein status and metabolic bone disease.
Conclusions:
- A tailored approach combining specific anthropometric measurements and biochemical markers is essential for effective nutritional assessment in preterm infants.
- Careful selection of growth charts and interpretation of biochemical data are crucial for monitoring and managing nutritional status.
- Further validation of derived indices as proxies for body composition is warranted.
Abstract:
A practical approach for nutritional assessment in preterm infants under intensive care, based on anthropometric measurements and commonly used biochemical markers, is suggested. The choice of anthropometric charts depends on the purpose: Fenton 2013 charts to assess intrauterine growth, an online growth calculator to monitor intra-hospital weight gain, and Intergrowth-21st standards to monitor growth after discharge. Body weight, though largely used, does not inform on body compartment sizes. Mid-upper arm circumference estimates body adiposity and is easy to measure. Body length reflects skeletal growth and fat-free mass, provided it is accurately measured. Head circumference indicates brain growth. Skinfolds estimate reasonably body fat. Weight-to-length ratio, body mass index, and ponderal index can assess body proportionality at birth. These and other derived indices, such as the mid-upper arm circumference to head circumference ratio, could be proxies of body composition but need validation. Low blood urea nitrogen may indicate insufficient protein intake. Prealbumin and retinol binding protein are good markers of current protein status, but they may be affected by non-nutritional factors. The combination of a high serum alkaline phosphatase level and a low serum phosphate level is the best biochemical marker for the early detection of metabolic bone disease.
More Related Videos
11:50Clinical Practice Protocol of Creative Music Therapy for Preterm Infants and Their Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Published on: January 7, 2020
14:43A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Related Concept Videos
02:11The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
01:27Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
01:28Microbial Nutrition
02:35Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
01:16Characteristics of Practical Op Amps
The ratio of differential gain to the common-mode gain is defined as the common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR). This ratio quantifies the ability of operational amplifiers (op-amps) to reject common-mode...
01:30Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice
Theories provide a perspective to assess patients' conditions and organize data and methods. They also assist in analyzing and interpreting information. They represent a...