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Serum copper concentrations in sick and well preterm infants
Insights
Preterm infants with normal growth may be at risk for copper deficiency. Monitoring serum copper levels is crucial, especially during oral feeding, to prevent deficiency symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Serum copper concentrations are vital for infant development.
- Preterm infants have unique nutritional needs and are susceptible to deficiencies.
- Understanding copper metabolism in preterm infants is essential for optimal growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normal serum copper ranges in preterm infants.
- To investigate the impact of growth on serum copper levels.
- To identify risks of copper deficiency in growing preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Serial serum copper concentrations were measured in 26 preterm infants over six weeks.
- Infants were divided into healthy growing (Group I) and ill (Group II-A) groups.
- Copper deficiency signs and response to supplementation were observed.
Main Results:
- Healthy growing preterm infants (Group I) had serum copper < 32 microgram/dl.
- Five infants in Group I showed signs of copper deficiency.
- Ill preterm infants (Group II-A) had serum copper > 50 micrograms/dl initially, decreasing with oral feeding and growth.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants experiencing normal growth on oral feedings are at significant risk for copper deficiency.
- Copper deficiency can manifest clinically and hematologically, responding to supplementation.
- Close monitoring of serum copper is recommended for preterm infants to ensure adequate intake and prevent deficiency.
Abstract:
In order to define the range of serum copper concentrations in preterm infants and to determine the effect of growth upon these values, serial serum copper concentrations were measured in 26 preterm infants over their first six weeks of life. Fourteen healthy, growing preterm infants (Group I) had mean serum copper concentrations below 32 microgram/dl throughout the study. Clinical and hematologic signs of copper deficiency which responded promptly to the oral administration of copper sulfate were noted in five of these 14 infants. Twelve ill preterm infants (Group II-A), who received parenteral nutrition without supplemental copper and had slow rates of growth, had mean serum copper concentrations above 50 micrograms/dl after the first week of life. Seven surviving from Group II-A (Group II-B) had a decrease in mean serum copper concentrations to values similar to those in Group I after two weeks of oral feedings and resumption of normal growth. Our findings suggest that preterm infants who have normal growth while receiving oral feedings are at significant risk for developing copper deficiency.
