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Metabolic and energy balance in small- and appropriate-for-gestational-age, very low-birth-weight infants
1Department of Neonatology, Hopital Edouard Herriot, Claude Benard University, Lyon, Belgium.
Insights
Nutrient and energy utilization are similar in appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and symmetrically growth-retarded (SGA) very low-birth-weight infants. Postnatal weight gain composition was also comparable between the two groups.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition
- Pediatric growth and development
- Perinatal medicine
Background:
- Very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants often exhibit differences in growth and development.
- Symmetric growth retardation (SGA) in VLBW infants may impact nutrient utilization.
- Appropriate for gestational age (AGA) VLBW infants serve as a comparison group for understanding growth patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare nutrient utilization and postnatal weight gain composition.
- To investigate differences between AGA and SGA VLBW infants.
- To assess energy expenditure and nutrient absorption in these infant groups.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of nutrient intake, absorption, and retention (nitrogen, fat, minerals).
- Measurement of metabolizable energy utilization and energy expenditure.
- Analysis of weight gain and body composition in VLBW infants.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in protein, mineral, or energy intake between AGA and SGA infants.
- Similar nitrogen absorption and retention, and similar metabolizable energy utilization.
- Fat absorption was slightly lower in AGA infants, but mineral absorption was comparable.
Conclusions:
- Nutrient and energy utilization are similar in AGA and symmetrically growth-retarded VLBW infants.
- Postnatal weight gain and its composition are comparable between these groups.
- Findings suggest similar metabolic adaptation in VLBW infants regardless of symmetrical growth status.
Abstract:
This study compared nutrient utilization and postnatal weight gain composition in eight appropriate for gestational age (AGA: birth weight 1293 +/- 107 g; gestational age 28.8 +/- 1.4 weeks) and eight symmetrically growth-retarded (SGA: birth weight 1110 +/- 230 g; gestational age 32.7 +/- 1.9 weeks), very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. There was no significant difference in protein, mineral and energy intake between AGA and SGA infants. Nitrogen absorption (84 +/- 3 and 83 +/- 4%) and nitrogen retention (356 +/- 48 and 352 +/- 43 mg/kg/day) were similar in both groups. Fat absorption tended to be lower in AGA (78 +/- 15%) than in SGA (87 +/- 4%) infants. Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium absorptions were similar in AGA and SGA infants. Metabolizable energy utilization was similar in both groups; about 55% was expended and 45% stored in new tissues. Energy expenditure was 58 +/- 4 kcal/kg/day in SGA infants and 61 +/- 9 kcal/kg/day in AGA infants. Weight gain and its composition were similar in both groups. We conclude that nutrient and energy utilization are similar in AGA and symmetrically growth-retarded, VLBW infants.