Growth and total body water in premature infants fed "in-utero" or "ex-utero"
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1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.
Insights
Feeding premature infants standard formula impacts body composition, increasing fat but not total body water compared to in-utero nourishment. This affects body and fat distribution in neonates.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition
- Pediatric physiology
- Body composition analysis
Background:
- Premature infants require specialized nutritional support.
- Understanding body composition differences is crucial for optimal infant growth.
- Comparing ex-utero feeding to in-utero development provides insights into nutritional impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare total body water and anthropometric measurements in premature infants fed ex-utero versus those nourished in-utero.
- To investigate the effects of standard premature infant formula on body composition.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of two groups of premature infants: "Ex-utero" (fed standard formula) and "In-utero" (studied within the first week).
- Measurements included total body water and anthropometric parameters like skinfold thickness and body length.
- Infants were studied at specific bodyweight ranges.
Main Results:
- "Ex-utero" infants showed significantly greater triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses.
- Body length was significantly greater in the "In-utero" group.
- No significant differences were observed in total body water, abdominal skinfold thickness, or midarm circumference.
Conclusions:
- Standard premature infant formula feeding leads to altered body fat distribution compared to in-utero nourishment.
- Total body water remains consistent between the two feeding/developmental scenarios.
- Nutritional strategies for premature infants influence body composition without affecting overall hydration status.
Abstract:
Total body water and anthropometric measurements were compared in two groups of premature infants. The first group included infants with birthweights less than 1,501 g who were fed under usual clinical circumstances and studied at a bodyweight of 1,800-2,100 g ("Ex-utero"); the second group of infants had a birthweight of 1,800 to 2,100 g and were studied within the first week of life ("In-utero"). Triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses were significantly greater in "Ex-utero" infants than in "In-utero" infants, whereas body length was significantly greater in the latter group compared to the former. There were no difference in total body water, abdominal skinfold thickness, or midarm circumference between the two groups. These data suggest that feeding premature infants a standard premature infant formula under established guidelines leads to differences in body and fat distribution but not total body water compared to infants nourished "in utero".