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Breast-feeding and growth factors in preterm newborn infants

N M Díaz-Gómez1, E Domenech, F Barroso

  • 1University of La Laguna, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Department of Pediatrics, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|March 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Neonatal growth is influenced by nutrition and insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGFBP-3). Preterm infants show lower levels, which are affected by gestational age and feeding type.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal research
  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Nutritional science

Background:

  • Investigating the impact of nutrition on neonatal growth.
  • Examining the roles of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) in early development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the influence of nutrition and specific growth factors on neonatal growth.
  • To compare growth factor levels between preterm and full-term infants.

Main Methods:

  • Studied full-term and preterm infants (n=54 and n=33) at 1 and 3 weeks postnatal.
  • Measured anthropometric variables, nutrient intake, and serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels.

Main Results:

  • Preterm infants had lower IGF-I at week 1. Both IGF-I and IGFBP-3 increased by week 3.
  • Infants born before 33 weeks had lower IGF-I and IGFBP-3. Human milk-supplemented formula feeding increased IGF-I compared to formula alone.
  • IGF-I and IGFBP-3 correlated with each other and with energy/protein intake.

Conclusions:

  • Neonatal IGF-I levels are influenced by infant maturity, energy intake, and lactation type.
  • Findings highlight the importance of nutritional strategies for optimizing growth in preterm infants.
Abstract

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