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Plasma Metabolome Alterations Associated with Extrauterine Growth Restriction

Danuta Dudzik1,2, Isabel Iglesias Platas3,4, Montserrat Izquierdo Renau3,4

  • 1Centro deMetabolómica y Bioanálisis, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, 28660 Madrid, Spain.

Nutrients
|April 29, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Metabolomics identified key plasma metabolite differences in very preterm infants (VPI). Well-grown VPI had higher amino acid levels, while growth-restricted infants showed altered lipid profiles, suggesting potential biomarkers for extrauterine growth restriction.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Metabolomics
  • Pediatric Nutrition

Background:

  • Very preterm infants (VPI) face health risks, potentially mitigated by optimal nutrition and growth.
  • Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in VPI lacks identified metabolic markers.
  • Understanding VPI growth trajectories is crucial for long-term outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify metabolic differences associated with extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in very preterm infants (VPI).
  • To explore potential plasma biomarkers for growth patterns in VPI at hospital discharge.

Main Methods:

  • Untargeted metabolomics applied to plasma samples from VPI at hospital discharge.
  • Comparison of metabolite profiles between well-grown VPI and those with EUGR.
  • Multivariate analysis to identify statistically significant metabolite differences.

Main Results:

  • Significantly higher amino acid levels were observed in well-grown VPI compared to EUGR infants.
  • Distinct differences in glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and other lipids were identified between groups.
  • Progressive decrease in several metabolite levels correlated with increased severity of growth restriction.

Conclusions:

  • Untargeted metabolomics revealed novel plasma metabolite distinctions between well-grown and EUGR VPI.
  • Findings suggest potential metabolic pathways involved in preterm infant growth failure.
  • Identified metabolites may serve as biomarkers for EUGR and inform future interventions.

Keywords:
growth failuremetabolic fingerprintingmultiplatform untargeted metabolomicspreterm infants

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