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Impact of Nutrient Intake on Body Composition in Very Low-Birth Weight Infants Following Early Progressive Enteral

Rasa Brinkis1, Kerstin Albertsson-Wikland2, Kastytis Šmigelskas3

  • 1Department of Neonatology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania.

Nutrients
|May 25, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Extremely preterm infants have higher fat mass at discharge than very preterm infants. Nutrient intake did not significantly impact body composition, but fat intake predicted adiposity in very preterm infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal nutrition
  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Body composition analysis

Background:

  • Preterm infants, especially those with very low birth weight, exhibit increased adiposity and metabolic risks at term-equivalent age.
  • Early enteral feeding and standard fortification are common practices for these vulnerable infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of nutrient intake on the body composition of very low-birth weight infants receiving early progressive enteral nutrition.
  • To compare body composition between extremely preterm and very preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • Eighty-six infants (<1500 g birth weight) were stratified into extremely preterm (EP) and very preterm (VP) groups.
  • Nutrient intake was assessed during the first 28 days.
  • Body composition was measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry at discharge and skinfold thickness at 12 months corrected age.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in total nutrient intake were observed between EP and VP groups.
  • EP infants presented higher fat mass percentage at discharge compared to VP infants (24.8% vs. 19.4%, p < 0.001).
  • Fat intake was a predictor of increased fat mass percentage at discharge and body adiposity at 12 months corrected age in VP infants.

Conclusions:

  • Nutritional requirements for body composition may vary based on gestational age.
  • Standard fortification protocols warrant cautious application in more mature preterm infants due to potential impacts on adiposity.

Keywords:
body compositiondual X-ray absorptiometrynewbornnutrient intakepretermvery low birth weight

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