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Nutrition, Growth, Brain Volume, and Neurodevelopment in Very Preterm Children

Victoria A Power1, Alicia J Spittle2, Katherine J Lee3

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|September 29, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Higher protein intake in the first 28 days after birth is linked to better weight growth in very preterm infants. Early nutrition did not significantly impact brain development or neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months corrected age.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal nutrition
  • Pediatric growth and development
  • Neurodevelopmental research

Background:

  • Optimal nutrition is critical for the growth and development of preterm infants.
  • Early nutritional interventions aim to improve outcomes in vulnerable neonates.
  • Understanding the long-term impact of early nutrition on growth, brain development, and neurodevelopment is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between early nutrition (first 28 days) and somatic growth up to term-equivalent age.
  • To examine the relationship between early nutrition and brain volumes at term-equivalent age.
  • To assess the impact of early nutrition on neurodevelopment at 24 months corrected age.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study included 149 infants born before 30 weeks gestation.
  • Daily energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate intakes were recorded for the first 28 days.
  • Weight and head circumference z-scores, brain volumes (MRI), and neurodevelopment (Bayley Scales) were assessed.

Main Results:

  • A higher mean protein intake (1 g/kg/day) was associated with a significant increase in weekly weight z-score (0.05 per week).
  • No significant associations were found between nutritional variables and head circumference growth.
  • Early nutrition was not substantially related to brain volumes or neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months.

Conclusions:

  • Higher protein intake in the first 28 days is positively associated with weight gain in very preterm infants.
  • Early nutrition in the first month did not demonstrate a substantial relationship with brain size or neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • Further research may be needed to explore optimal nutritional strategies for preterm infants.
Abstract

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