Implementation of nutrition practice improves growth velocity and weight gain in premature infants ≤ 1250 grams
Ming-Sheng Lee1, Yi-Chia Huang2, Cheng-Han Lee3
1Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Critical Care, Changhua Christian Children Hospital, Changhua, 50050, Taiwan; Graduate Program in Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, 40201, Taiwan.
Insights
Implementing nutrition practices (NP) improved growth velocity and weight gain in premature infants. This nutritional care is safe and beneficial for preterm babies in neonatal intensive care units.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Clinical Outcomes Research
Background:
- Parental nutritional care for premature infants has advanced significantly.
- This study evaluates the impact of nutrition practice (NP) implementation on clinical outcomes in premature infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare clinical outcomes before and after NP implementation.
- To assess the effects of NP on growth velocity and weight gain in premature infants.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of premature infants (gestational age < 30 weeks, birth weight ≤ 1250 g) before and after NP implementation.
- Comparison of nutrient intake, growth velocity, weight gain, and biochemical markers at 1, 2, and 4 weeks post-delivery.
Main Results:
- The NP group (89 infants) consumed more fat, protein, and energy than the non-NP group (77 infants).
- Growth velocity was significantly higher in the NP group.
- Nutrient intake in the NP group was positively associated with body weight at various time points.
Conclusions:
- The implemented nutrition practice (NP) is safe for premature infants.
- NP significantly improves growth velocity and body weight gain in premature infants.
Background:
The concept of parental nutritional care for premature infants has been applied and advanced over the past decade. This study compared the clinical outcomes before and after nutrition practice (NP) implementation and evaluated the effects of implementation on growth velocity and weight gain in premature infants.
Methods:
Descriptive data of premature infants (gestational age < 30 weeks; body weight ≤ 1250 g) born 4 years before and after NP implementation were retrospectively reviewed in a neonatal intensive care unit at a hospital in Taiwan. Nutrient intake, growth velocity, weight gain, and nutrition-related biochemical markers were compared at weeks 1, 2, and 4 after delivery.
Results:
A total of 77 premature infants were enrolled before NP implementation (non-NP group), whereas 89 were enrolled after implementation (NP group). The non-NP group consumed less fat and energy in week 1, and less protein, fat, and energy in weeks 2 and 4 compared with the NP group. Growth velocity was slower in the non-NP group. Fat intake was significantly positively correlated with body weight at week 4 in the non-NP group. However, protein and fat intake were significantly associated with body weight at week 1, fat and energy intakes were significantly associated with body weight at week 2, and fat intake was significantly associated with body weight at week 4 in the NP group.
Conclusion:
These findings indicate that the NP implemented in this study is relatively safe and can improve growth velocity and body weight gain in premature infants.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:15Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube...
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
01:26Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...
01:29Oxygen Requirements and Growth Patterns
01:25Role of Communication in the Nursing Process II: Planning and Implementation
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,...