Related Experiment Videos
[Caloric intake in parenteral nutrition of very low weight infants]
L Maggio1, F Gallini, M P De Carolis
1Divisione di Neonatologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma.
Insights
This study shows that the RCT% effectively measures energy intake from parenteral nutrition (PN) and enteral nutrition in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. VLBW infants fed with PN demonstrated satisfactory growth patterns and no severe metabolic complications.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Parenteral nutrition (PN) is crucial for VLBW infants, but balancing energy sources is complex.
- Assessing comparative energy intake from parenteral and enteral routes is vital for optimal growth.
- Existing methods may not adequately capture the dynamic interplay of energy sources in VLBW infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a novel measure (RCT%) for comparing energy intake from parenteral and enteral nutrition in VLBW infants.
- To document and analyze growth patterns in VLBW infants receiving PN using this comparative measure.
- To determine if the RCT% can predict satisfactory growth and metabolic outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Documented growth patterns in 75 VLBW infants receiving PN.
- Calculated energy intake percentages: RCP% (parenteral) and RCE% (enteral).
- Planned total energy intake based on RCT% (RCP% + RCE%) and analyzed growth parameters.
Main Results:
- VLBW infants exhibited normal initial weight loss and timely weight regain.
- Subsequent growth rate was 25.9 +/- 9.2 g/kg/day, consistent across different gestational ages (GA) and birth weights (BW).
- Head circumference and length growth were above the third percentile; severe metabolic abnormalities were absent.
Conclusions:
- The RCT% is an effective index for assessing combined energy intake from enteral and parenteral sources during PN.
- The documented growth patterns suggest satisfactory outcomes for VLBW infants managed with PN using the RCT% method.
- This approach supports adequate nutrition and minimizes metabolic complications in VLBW infants.
Abstract:
To evaluate the efficacy of a measure able to compare energy intake from parenteral and enteral nutrition we documented growth patterns in a group of VLBW infants treated with parenteral nutrition (PN). To analyze comparative energy intake from the two sources we expressed a percentage of both parenteral and enteral calories: the former (RCP%) related to an optimal value of 85 non protein calories and the latter (RCE%) to an optimal value of 150 total calories. Total energy intake was planned on the RCT% (RCP% + RCE%). We studied 75 VLBW infants with a mean BW of 1040 g and a mean GA of 29.5 weeks. The mean duration of PN was 25.8 +/- 10.4 days. The initial weight loss (10.2 +/- 5.3%), the time to regain BW (5.5 +/- 4 days) and the day of lowest weight (5.2 +/- 1.6 day of life) were in the normal range; the subsequent growth rate resulted 25.9 +/- 9.2 g/kg/die and did not change for different GA or BW. Growth pattern about head circumference and length were above the third percentile. The mean age of RCT% = 100% was 11.4 +/- 4.8 days of PN; this value was higher for the more premature infants. Severe metabolic abnormalities were not detected. Our observations show the efficacy of the RCT% as index of energy from both enteral and parenteral source during PN: the growth pattern seems to be quite satisfactory without any severe metabolic complication.