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Influence of respiratory distress syndrome on body composition after preterm birth

W Tang1, D Ridout, N Modi

  • 1Department of Paediatrics and Neonatal Medicine, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London.

Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|July 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Preterm neonates, with or without respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), lose body water similarly in the first week. Adequate nutrition supports body solids increase despite early weight loss.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal physiology
  • Body composition analysis
  • Preterm infant care

Background:

  • Preterm infants, especially those with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), undergo significant physiological changes post-birth.
  • Understanding body composition shifts is crucial for optimizing fluid and energy management in these vulnerable infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To track body composition changes in preterm neonates during the first postnatal week.
  • To compare changes between infants with and without RDS.
  • To inform optimal fluid and energy intake strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Daily monitoring of body weight and fluid/energy intake in preterm infants (26-36 weeks gestation).
  • Total body water (TBW) measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis.
  • Body solids calculated as body weight minus TBW.

Main Results:

  • Significant body weight reduction by week's end, greater in RDS infants (7.6%) vs. non-RDS (3.7%).
  • Similar TBW at birth (approx. 85%) and comparable body water loss (approx. 10%) in both groups.
  • Despite initial body solids loss in RDS infants, both groups showed significant increases in body solids by day 7 (RDS 13.0%, non-RDS 42.7%).

Conclusions:

  • Postnatal body water loss is consistent in healthy preterm infants and those with RDS, independent of fluid administration.
  • Early postnatal weight loss can be accompanied by an increase in body solids with adequate nutritional support, starting soon after birth.
Abstract

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