Optimizing growth in the preterm infant

High versus standard volume enteral feeds to promote growth in preterm or low birth weight infants

BACKGROUND

Human milk is the best enteral nutrition for preterm infants. However, human milk, given at standard recommended volumes, is not adequate to meet the protein, energy, and other nutrient requirements of preterm or low birth weight infants. One strategy that may be used to address the potential nutrient deficits is to give a higher volume of enteral feeds. High volume feeds may improve nutrient accretion and growth, and in turn may improve neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, there are concerns that high volume feeds may cause feed intolerance, necrotising enterocolitis, or complications related to fluid overload such as patent ductus arteriosus and chronic lung disease. This is an update of a review published in 2017.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect on growth and safety of high versus standard volume enteral feeds in preterm or low birth weight infants. In infants who were fed fortified human milk or preterm formula, high and standard volume feeds were defined as > 180 mL/kg/day and ≤ 180 mL/kg/day, respectively. In infants who were fed unfortified human milk or term formula, high and standard volume feeds were defined as > 200 mL/kg/day and ≤ 200 mL/kg/day, respectively.

SEARCH METHODS

We used the standard search strategy of Cochrane Neonatal to search Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2020 Issue 6) in the Cochrane Library; Ovid MEDLINE (1946 to June 2020); Embase (1974 to June 2020); and CINAHL (inception to June 2020); Maternity & Infant Care Database (MIDIRS) (1971 to April 2020); as well as previous reviews, and trial registries.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared high versus standard volume enteral feeds for preterm or low birth weight infants.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias and independently extracted data. We analysed treatment effects in individual trials and reported risk ratio (RR) and risk difference for dichotomous data, and mean difference (MD) for continuous data, with respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence. The primary outcomes were weight gain, linear and head growth during hospital stay, and extrauterine growth restriction at discharge.

MAIN RESULTS

We included two new RCTs (283 infants) in this update. In total, we included three trials (347 infants) in this updated review. High versus standard volume feeds with fortified human milk or preterm formula Two trials (283 infants) met the inclusion criteria for this comparison. Both were of good methodological quality, except for lack of masking. Both trials were performed in infants born at < 32 weeks' gestation. Meta-analysis of data from both trials showed high volume feeds probably improves weight gain during hospital stay (MD 2.58 g/kg/day, 95% CI 1.41 to 3.76; participants = 271; moderate-certainty evidence). High volume feeds may have little or no effect on linear growth (MD 0.05 cm/week, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.13; participants = 271; low-certainty evidence), head growth (MD 0.02 cm/week, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.09; participants = 271; low-certainty evidence), and extrauterine growth restriction at discharge (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.02; participants = 271; low-certainty evidence). We are uncertain of the effect of high volume feeds with fortified human milk or preterm formula on the risk of necrotising enterocolitis (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.12 to 4.51; participants = 283; very-low certainty evidence). High versus standard volume feeds with unfortified human milk or term formula One trial with 64 very low birth weight infants met the inclusion criteria for this comparison. This trial was unmasked but otherwise of good methodological quality. High volume feeds probably improves weight gain during hospital stay (MD 6.2 g/kg/day, 95% CI 2.71 to 9.69; participants = 61; moderate-certainty evidence). The trial did not provide data on linear and head growth, and extrauterine growth restriction at discharge. We are uncertain as to the effect of high volume feeds with unfortified human milk or term formula on the risk of necrotising enterocolitis (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.07 to 15.78; participants = 61; very low-certainty evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

High volume feeds (≥ 180 mL/kg/day of fortified human milk or preterm formula, or ≥ 200 mL/kg/day of unfortified human milk or term formula) probably improves weight gain during hospital stay. The available data is inadequate to draw conclusions on the effect of high volume feeds on other growth and clinical outcomes. A large RCT is needed to provide data of sufficient quality and precision to inform policy and practice.

Cholestasis affects enteral tolerance and prospective weight gain in the NICU

BACKGROUND

Intestinal Failure-Associated Liver Disease is characterized by cholestasis and hepatic dysfunction due to parenteral nutrition (PN) therapy. We described key features of cholestatic infants receiving PN to assess overall outcomes in this population at our institution.

METHODS

This is a retrospective single center study of 163 neonates grouped into cholestatic (n = 63) and non-cholestatic (n = 100) as defined by peak conjugated bilirubin of ≥2.0 mg/dL or < 0.8 mg/dL, respectively. Univariate and multiple regression models were used to study associations between variables and outcomes of interest.

RESULTS

Lower Apgar scores (4 ± 3 vs. 6 ± 3, p-value = <0.005 at 1 min; 6 ± 2 vs. 7 ± 2, p < 0.005 at 5 min) and lower birth weight (adj β [SE] = 0.62 [0.27], p-value = 0.024) were risk factors for developing cholestasis. Cholestatic infants were more likely to have had gastrointestinal surgery (31 [49%] vs. 15 [15%], p-value <0.005), received PN for a longer duration (40 ± 39 days vs. 11 ± 7 days, p-value <0.005), and started enteral feeds later in life (86 ± 23 days vs. 79 ± 20 days, p-value <0.005) when compared to non-cholestatic infants. Weight percentiles in cholestatic infants were lower both at hospital discharge (14 ± 19 vs. 24 ± 22, p-value <0.005) and at 6 months of age (24 ± 28 vs. 36 ± 31, p-value = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Cholestasis in the NICU is a multifactorial process, but it has a long lasting effect on prospective weight gain in infants who receive PN in the NICU. This finding highlights the importance of follow-up for adequate growth and the potential benefit from aggressive nutritional support.

High versus standard volume enteral feeds to promote growth in preterm or low birth weight infants

BACKGROUND

Breast milk alone, given at standard recommended volumes (150 to 180 mL/kg/d), is not adequate to meet the protein, energy, and other nutrient requirements of growing preterm or low birth weight infants. One strategy that may be used to address these potential nutrient deficits is to give infants enteral feeds in excess of 200 mL/kg/d ('high-volume' feeds). This approach may increase nutrient uptake and growth rates, but concerns include that high-volume enteral feeds may cause feed intolerance, gastro-oesophageal reflux, aspiration pneumonia, necrotising enterocolitis, or complications related to fluid overload, including patent ductus arteriosus and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect on growth and safety of feeding preterm or low birth weight infants with high (> 200 mL/kg/d) versus standard (≤ 200 mL/kg/d) volume of enteral feeds. Infants in intervention and control groups should have received the same type of milk (breast milk, formula, or both), the same fortification or micronutrient supplements, and the same enteral feeding regimen (bolus, continuous) and rate of feed volume advancement.To conduct subgroup analyses based on type of milk (breast milk vs formula), gestational age or birth weight category of included infants (very preterm or VLBW vs preterm or LBW), presence of intrauterine growth restriction (using birth weight relative to the reference population as a surrogate), and income level of the country in which the trial was conducted (low or middle income vs high income) (see 'Subgroup analysis and investigation of heterogeneity').

SEARCH METHODS

We used the Cochrane Neonatal standard search strategy, which included searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2017, Issue 2) in the Cochrane Library; MEDLINE (1946 to November 2016); Embase (1974 to November 2016); and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL; 1982 to November 2016), as well as conference proceedings, previous reviews, and trial registries.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials that compared high-volume versus standard-volume enteral feeds for preterm or low birth weight infants.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias and independently extracted data. We analysed treatment effects in individual trials and reported the risk ratio and risk difference for dichotomous data, and the mean difference for continuous data, with respective 95% confidence intervals. . We assessed the quality of evidence at the outcome level via the GRADE approach.

MAIN RESULTS

We found one eligible trial that included 64 infants. This trial was not blinded. Analysis showed a higher rate of weight gain in the high-volume feeds group: mean difference 6.20 g/kg/d (95% confidence interval 2.71 to 9.69). There was no increase in the risk of feed intolerance or necrotising enterocolitis with high-volume feeds, but 95% confidence intervals around these estimates were wide. We assessed the quality of evidence for these outcomes as 'low' or 'very low' because of imprecision of the estimates of effect and concern about risk of bias due to lack of blinding in the included trial. Trial authors provided no data on other outcomes, including gastro-oesophageal reflux, aspiration pneumonia, necrotising enterocolitis, patent ductus arteriosus, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or long-term growth and neurodevelopment.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found only very limited data from one small unblinded trial on the effects of high-volume feeds on important outcomes for preterm or low birth weight infants. The quality of evidence is low to very low. Hence, available evidence is insufficient to support or refute high-volume enteral feeds in preterm or low birth weight infants. A large, pragmatic randomised controlled trial is needed to provide data of sufficient quality and precision to inform policy and practice.

Comparison of enteral feeding of preterm infants between two hospitals in China and United States

AIM

To compare the details of preterm infants enteral feeding between the two hospitals in China and in the United States, and to analyze the reason of the differences.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Infants < 32 weeks were enrolled from Cincinnati University Hospital (CUH) during January 2011 to January 2012 and Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) during January 2011 to May 2012. Basic data and enteral feeding data of the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

Eighty-two infants in CUH group and 74 infants in PUMCH group were enrolled, infants in CUH group were much smaller than PUMCH group (gestational age (29.1 ± 2.0) versus (30.6 ± 1.3) weeks, p = 0.000, birth weight (1204 ± 328) versus (1406 ± 320) g, p = 0.000). Significantly more infants in CUH group received human milk as the first enteral feeding (78/82 versus 7/74, p = 0.000). Human milk feeding rate in first 28 days in CUH group was much higher (77/82 versus 7/74, p = 0.000). The initial milk volume, and the milk volume on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 27th day of CUH group were significant larger [(15.9 versus 9.3 ml/kg·d, p = 0.000), (79.8 versus 35.2 ml/kg·d, p = 0.000), (133.2 versus 76.4 ml/kg·d, p = 0.000), (140.6 versus 108.6 ml/kg·d, p = 0.000), (142.2 versus 121.5 ml/kg·d, p = 0.002)]. CUH group achieved full enteral feeding sooner (12.0 versus 22.4 d, p = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

Preterm infants achieved full enteral feeding sooner at CUH compared to PUMCH. Human milk feeding may improve enteral feeding tolerance. We need more aggressive enteral feeding proposal in PUMCH.

A double-blinded randomized trial on growth and feeding tolerance with Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 in formula-fed preterm infants

OBJECTIVE

The use of probiotics is increasingly popular in preterm neonates, as they may prevent necrotizing enterocolitis sepsis and improve growth and feeding tolerance. There is only limited literature on Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 (S. boulardii) in preterm infants.

METHOD

A prospective, randomized, case-controlled trial with the probiotic S. boulardii (50mg/kg twice daily) was conducted in newborns with a gestational age of 30-37 weeks and a birth weight between 1500 and 2500g.

RESULTS

125 neonates were enrolled; 63 in the treatment and 62 in the control group. Weight gain (16.14±1.96 vs. 10.73±1.77g/kg/day, p<0.05) and formula intake at maximal enteral feeding (128.4±6.7 vs. 112.3±7.2mL/kg/day, p<0.05) were significantly higher in the intervention group. Once enteral feeding was started, the time needed to reach full enteral feeding was significantly shorter in the probiotic group (0.4±0.1 vs. 1.7±0.5 days, p<0.05). There was no significant difference in sepsis. Necrotizing enterocolitis did not occur. No adverse effects related to S. boulardii were observed.

CONCLUSION

Prophylactic supplementation of S. boulardii at a dose of 50mg/kg twice a day improved weight gain, improved feeding tolerance, and had no adverse effects in preterm infants >30 weeks old.

A 6th Vital Sign--Potential Use of Nasogastric Tube for Intra-abdominal Pressure Monitoring Method to Detect Feeding Intolerance in Very Low Birth-Weight Preterm Infants (<1500 g)

BACKGROUND

While various feeding strategies designed to optimize growth have been investigated and used in the clinical setting, the problem of not being able to recognize the warning signs of feeding intolerance early enough to prevent serious gastrointestinal complication commonly associated with very low birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infant remains. Currently, early stages of feeding intolerance are most often identified though nurse assessments. Additional methods to predict feeding intolerance in this population are needed. Currently, intra-abdominal pressure monitoring has been an effective method to predict intolerance to enteral nutrition in the adult and pediatric populations.

PURPOSE

There is supportive evidence for the use of noninvasive methods, such as nasogastric tubes, to effectively monitor IAP. While this may not be the gold standard method of using Foley catheters for measurement, it could provide predictive levels that are indicative of progression toward bowel inflammation.

FINDINGS

This review shows the potential for using noninvasive nasogastric tubes for monitoring intra-abdominal pressure and may provide direction for evaluating intra-abdominal pressures in VLBW preterm infants as a reliable method for early identification of feeding intolerance.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The use of nasogastric tubes to monitor intra-abdominal pressure may provide an effective noninvasive tool to identify VLBW preterm infants progressing toward feeding intolerance and would add to assessment data.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

Development and testing of a reliable nasogastric tube monitoring device in the VLBW preterm infant population and identify predictive levels that indicate progression toward feeding intolerance is needed. Once IAP predictive levels are identified, provider interventions could be developed.

Skinfold thickness of preterm newborns when they become late preterm infants

BACKGROUND

Nutrition of very low-birth-weight newborns is important for a good physical and neurologic outcome. Body composition assessment, together with anthropometric measurements, is considered necessary to monitor adequate nutrition and growth. Objectives of this study were to assess body fat changes in newborns ≤32 weeks gestation by weekly skinfold thickness (SFT) measurements and to compare them with those of late preterm infants born at 34, 35, and 36 weeks once they reached 34, 35, and 36 weeks corrected age (CA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Preterm infants ≤32 weeks gestation had SFT measured from 4 body sites, including biceps, triceps, and subscapulary and suprailiac regions, by a Holtain caliper starting from 48 hours of age at weekly intervals until 34, 35, and 36 weeks CA. The measurements were compared with those of late preterm controls born at 34, 35, and 36 weeks gestation.

RESULTS

There were 37 preterm infants in the patient group. When reaching 34, 35, and 36 weeks CA, preterm infants had higher SFT values compared with controls in all body sites. Median and range of total SFT were 14.6 mm (9.6-18.9 mm) in patients and 11 mm (7.8-16.4 mm) in controls at 34 weeks CA, 15.5 mm (10.7-21.8 mm) in patients and 12.3 mm (7-17 mm) in controls at 35 weeks CA, and 16.4 mm (11.8-23.7 mm) in patients and 12.9 mm (7-17.8 mm) in controls at 36 weeks CA (P = .001 in all). No sex difference was observed at 34 and 35 weeks.

CONCLUSION

These results show that preterm infants start accumulating excess fat even from early weeks of life. Careful assessment of growth by tools other than simple anthropometric measurements is essential to avoid future complications.

Perinatal programming prevention measures

Over the past 10 years, there has been outstanding scientific progress related to perinatal programming and its epigenetic effects in health, and we can anticipate this trend will continue in the near future. We need to make use and apply these achievements to human neurodevelopment via prevention interventions. Based on the concept of the interaction between genome and ambiome, this chapter proposes low-cost easy-implementation preventive strategies for maternal and infant health institutions.Breastfeeding and human milk administration are the first preventive measures, as has been reviewed in the policy statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Another strategy is the Safe and Family-Centered Maternity Hospitals initiative that promotes and empowers the inclusion of the families and the respect for their rights, especially during pregnancy and birth. (This change of paradigm was approved and is recommended by both United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, and Pan American Health Organization, PAHO.) Then, there is also an important emphasis given to the sacred hour-which highlights the impact of bonding, attachment, and breastfeeding during the first hour of life-the pain prevention and treatment in newborns, the control of the "new morbidity" represented by late preterm infants, and finally, the importance of avoiding intrauterine and extrauterine growth restriction. (However, there are not yet clear recommendations about nutritional interventions in order to diminish the potential metabolic syndrome consequence in the adult.).

Brief parenteral nutrition accelerates weight gain, head growth even in healthy VLBWs

Introduction

Whether parenteral nutrition benefits growth of very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants in the setting of rapid enteral feeding advancement is unclear. Our aim was to examine this issue using data from Japan, where enteral feeding typically advances at a rapid rate.

Methods

We studied 4005 hospitalized VLBW, very preterm (23–32 weeks' gestation) infants who reached full enteral feeding (100 ml/kg/day) by day 14, from 75 institutions in the Neonatal Research Network Japan (2003–2007). Main outcomes were weight gain, head growth, and extra-uterine growth restriction (EUGR, measurement <10^th percentile for postmenstrual age) at discharge.

Results

40% of infants received parenteral nutrition. Adjusting for maternal, infant, and institutional characteristics, infants who received parenteral nutrition had greater weight gain [0.09 standard deviation (SD), 95% CI: 0.02, 0.16] and head growth (0.16 SD, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.28); lower odds of EUGR by head circumference (OR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.88). No statistically significant difference was seen in the proportion of infants with EUGR at discharge. SGA infants and infants who took more than a week until full feeding had larger estimates.

Discussion

Even in infants who are able to establish enteral nutrition within 2 weeks, deprivation of parenteral nutrition in the first weeks of life could lead to under nutrition, but infants who reached full feeding within one week benefit least. It is important to predict which infants are likely or not likely to advance on enteral feedings within a week and balance enteral and parenteral nutrition for these infants.

Aggressive Nutrition of the Preterm Infant

Nutrition of preterm infants should result in growth similar to that of normally growing fetuses of the same gestational age. Unfortunately, most preterm infants are not fed enough to achieve this objective; as a result they are growth restricted by term gestation. Recent studies have demonstrated that early and enhanced "aggressive" nutrition of preterm infants can reduce postnatal growth failure and improve longer-term outcomes, particularly for the brain and its cognitive functions. When preterm infants are fed more aggressively (earlier onset of intravenous and enteral feeding, earlier achievement of full enteral feeding) cumulative energy and protein deficits are reduced and they consistently regain birth weight sooner, the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis and late-onset sepsis is unchanged or reduced, and they achieve discharge criteria and go home sooner, with overall shorter hospital stays, and have improved anthropometrics by term gestation. More research is needed, however, to determine optimum feeding of preterm infants, particularly during periods of illness and physiological instability.

Evaluation of adequacy of protein and energy

Growth assessment is the most common measure of nutritional adequacy in pediatrics, especially when evaluating nutrition of preterm neonates. The American Academy of Pediatrics defines postnatal nutrient intake to promote growth as one that "approximates the rate of growth...for a normal fetus of the same post-menstrual age." It is known that in the fetus, fat and lean body mass are accreted progressively as gestation progresses, whereas postnatal growth and observed accretion of fat and lean body mass differ. This review discusses anthropometric measures used to assess growth, biochemical markers used to monitor nutritional sufficiency, and the effect of growth trajectory in preterm infants on health outcomes later in life.

Probiotics, prebiotics infant formula use in preterm or low birth weight infants: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Previous reviews (2005 to 2009) on preterm infants given probiotics or prebiotics with breast milk or mixed feeds focused on prevention of Necrotizing Enterocolitis, sepsis and diarrhea. This review assessed if probiotics, prebiotics led to improved growth and clinical outcomes in formula fed preterm infants.

METHODS

Cochrane methodology was followed using randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which compared preterm formula containing probiotic(s) or prebiotic(s) to conventional preterm formula in preterm infants. The mean difference (MD) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported for continuous outcomes, risk ratio (RR) and corresponding 95% CI for dichotomous outcomes. Heterogeneity was assessed by visual inspection of forest plots and a chi² test. An I² test assessed inconsistencies across studies. I²> 50% represented substantial heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Four probiotics studies (N=212), 4 prebiotics studies (N=126) were included. Probiotics: There were no significant differences in weight gain (MD 1.96, 95% CI: -2.64 to 6.56, 2 studies, n=34) or in maximal enteral feed (MD 35.20, 95% CI: -7.61 to 78.02, 2 studies, n=34), number of stools per day increased significantly in probiotic group (MD 1.60, 95% CI: 1.20 to 2.00, 1 study, n=20). Prebiotics: Galacto-oligosaccharide/Fructo-oligosaccharide (GOS/FOS) yielded no significant difference in weight gain (MD 0.04, 95% CI: -2.65 to 2.73, 2 studies, n=50), GOS/FOS yielded no significant differences in length gain (MD 0.01, 95% CI: -0.03 to 0.04, 2 studies, n=50). There were no significant differences in head growth (MD -0.01, 95% CI: -0.02 to 0.00, 2 studies, n=76) or age at full enteral feed (MD -0.79, 95% CI: -2.20 to 0.61, 2 studies, n=86). Stool frequency increased significantly in prebiotic group (MD 0.80, 95% CI: 0.48 to 1.1, 2 studies, n=86). GOS/FOS and FOS yielded higher bifidobacteria counts in prebiotics group (MD 2.10, 95% CI: 0.96 to 3.24, n=27) and (MD 0.48, 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.68, n=56).

CONCLUSIONS

There is not enough evidence to state that supplementation with probiotics or prebiotics results in improved growth and clinical outcomes in exclusively formula fed preterm infants.

A randomized control trial comparing two enteral feeding volumes in very low birth weight babies

Poor post-natal growth of preterm neonates is common and fortification is recommended. However, this is not always practical in low-resource areas. Hypothesizing that increasing the volume of feeds would be safe and lead to better post-natal weight gain, we randomized 64 babies with birth weight <1500 g, once they reached full feeds, to continue feeds at 200 ml/kg/day (standard volume) or increase to 300 ml/kg/day (high volume) of expressed breast milk. There was a significantly higher daily weight gain in the high-volume group as compared to the standard volume group (24.9 vs. 18.7 g/kg/day, p < 0.0001). There were no differences in complications like feed intolerance, tachypnoea, sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus or necrotizing enterocolitis. High-volume feeds at 300 ml/kg/day was safe and resulted in better weight gain than standard volume feeds in very low birth weight babies.

Reduction in postnatal cumulative nutritional deficit and improvement of growth in extremely preterm infants

AIM

To evaluate the influence of gestational age (GA) on cumulative nutritional deficit and postnatal growth in extremely preterm (EPT) infants after optimizing nutritional protocol as recently recommended.

METHODS

A prospective, nonrandomized, observational study in extremely preterm (EPT, <28 weeks) and very preterm (VPT, 28-30 weeks) infants.

RESULTS

Eighty-four infants were included (BW: 978 ± 156 g, GA: 27.8 ± 1.3 weeks). Cumulative nutritional deficit increased during first week of life to -290 ± 84 and -285 ± 117 kcal/kg and -4.2 ± 3.1 and -4.8 ± 3.9 g/kg of protein in EPT and VPT groups, respectively. After 6 weeks, only cumulative energy deficit in EPT group remained significant (p < 0.05) even when 96% of theoretical energy intakes were provided. Weight z score decreased during first 3 days in average with initial weight loss, and then, the z score increased during the first 6 weeks of life in the majority (75%) of infants. Cumulative protein deficit during the first week of life was the major determinant of the postnatal growth during the first 6 weeks of life.

CONCLUSION

Cumulative nutritional deficit may be drastically reduced in both EPT and VPT infants after optimizing nutritional policy during the first weeks of life, and the postnatal growth restriction could even be prevented.

Optimizing early nutritional support based on recent recommendations in VLBW infants and postnatal growth restriction

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate postnatal growth up to discharge in very low birth weight infants after optimizing nutritional support based on recent nutritional recommendations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective, nonrandomized, consecutive, and observational study in infants weighing <1250 g.

RESULTS

One hundred two infants were included during a 2-year period (birth weight 1005 ± 157 g, gestational age 28.5 ± 1.9 weeks). First-day nutritional intake was 38 ± 6 kcal/kg/day with 2.4 ± 0.3 g/kg/day of protein. Mean intake during the first week of life was 80 ± 14 kcal/kg/day with 3.2 ± 0.5 g/kg/day of protein. On average from birth to discharge, 122 ± 10 kcal/kg/day and 3.7 ± 0.2 g/kg/day of protein were administered. Postnatal weight loss was limited to the first 3 days of life, and birth weight was regained after 7 days in average. Catch-up occurred after the second week in all groups of very low birth weight infants. Small-for-gestational age infants demonstrated an earlier and higher weight gain, allowing a rapid catch-up growth. The same proportion of infants was small-for-gestational age at birth and at discharge (20%, P = 0.74).

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed that the first week of life is a critical period to promote growth and that early nutrition from the first day of life is essential. Postnatal weight loss may be limited and subsequent growth may be optimized with a dramatic reduction of postnatal growth restriction.

Extremely high phenylalanine levels in a newborn on parenteral nutrition: phenylketonuria in the neonatal intensive care unit

A 1890-g newborn on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) had phenylalanine levels reaching 4164 μM indicating phenylketonuria (PKU). Review of 64 PKU cases from the California Newborn Screening Program disclosed another newborn diagnosed while on TPN. Phenylalanine levels rose five times faster with TPN, as estimated from rates in these infants. Thus, TPN use is associated with very high phenylalanine levels in newborns with PKU. When starting TPN soon after birth (for example, on day 1), early detection of PKU-by newborn screening 12 to 24 h after infusions are begun-should be helpful in limiting exposures to toxic levels of phenylalanine.

Early nutrition mediates the influence of severity of illness on extremely LBW infants

To evaluate whether differences in early nutritional support provided to extremely premature infants mediate the effect of critical illness on later outcomes, we examined whether nutritional support provided to "more critically ill" infants differs from that provided to "less critically ill" infants during the initial weeks of life, and if, after controlling for critical illness, that difference is associated with growth and rates of adverse outcomes. One thousand three hundred sixty-six participants in the NICHD Neonatal Research Network parenteral glutamine supplementation randomized controlled trial who were alive on day of life 7 were stratified by whether they received mechanical ventilation for the first 7 d of life. Compared with more critically ill infants, less critically ill infants received significantly more total nutritional support during each of the first 3 wk of life, had significantly faster growth velocities, less moderate/severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, less late-onset sepsis, less death, shorter hospital stays, and better neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18-22 mo corrected age. Rates of necrotizing enterocolitis were similar. Adjusted analyses using general linear and logistic regression modeling and a formal mediation framework demonstrated that the influence of critical illness on the risk of adverse outcomes was mediated by total daily energy intake during the first week of life.

Perioperative management of low birth weight infants for open-heart surgery

Infants of birth weight ≤2500 g are termed low birth weight (LBW). These children often have considerable morbidity from prematurity and intra-uterine growth restriction. Additionally, LBW infants have increased risk for cardiac and noncardiac congenital anomalies and may require surgery. Primary rather than palliative surgical repair of cardiac lesions has been preferred in recent years. However, LBW remains a risk factor for increased mortality and morbidity after open-heart surgery (OHS). There is a paucity of information about the anesthetic challenges presented by LBW infants undergoing OHS. This review summarizes the perioperative issues of relevance to anesthesiologists who manage these high-risk patients. Emphasis is placed on management concerns that are unique to LBW infants. Retrospective data from the authors' institution are provided for those aspects of anesthetic care that lack published studies. Successful outcome often requires substantial hospital resources and collaborative multi-disciplinary effort.

Early nutritional support and outcomes in ELBW infants

Extrauterine growth restriction is a common finding among extremely low birth weight infants at discharge from neonatal intensive care units. It has been associated with significant caloric and protein deficits that accumulate during the hospitalization and with slower growth velocity observed with major neonatal morbidities. Recommendations to provide early nutritional support, both parenteral and enteral, have evolved in response to concern about the impact of poor in-hospital growth on growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes in early childhood. This paper will review the evidence supporting the provision of early nutritional support to extremely preterm infants by examining the outcomes associated with such practices.