Postnatal maximal weight loss, fluid administration, and outcomes in extremely preterm newborns

Evaluate maximal weight loss (MWL) and total fluid administration (TFA) association in first week after birth with outcomes among extremely preterm (EP) newborns.

We performed a retrospective analysis of the Preterm Erythropoietin Neuroprotection Trial evaluating first-week MWL, TFA, and association with in-hospital outcomes.

Among n = 883 included EP neonates, n = 842 survived ≥ 7 days and were included in outcome analyses. MWL between 5% to 15% was associated with decreased odds of necrotizing enterocolitis compared to MWL > 15% (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25-0.98). Average TFA > 150 mL/kg birthweight/day was associated with increased odds of necrotizing enterocolitis (OR 3.22, 95% CI 1.40-7.42) and patent ductus arteriosus requiring surgery (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.10-4.15).

MWL between 5% to 15% is a potentially optimal window of MWL. Increasing average TFA in the first week is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. Prospective studies evaluating MWL and TFA and relationship to outcomes in EP neonates are needed.

This study is a secondary analysis of pre-existing data from the PENUT Trial Registration: NCT01378273, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01378273 .