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Fenton TR, Merlino Barr S, Elmrayed S, Alshaikh B. Expected and Desirable Preterm and Small Infant Growth Patterns. Adv Nutr 2024; 15:100220. [PMID: 38670164 PMCID: PMC11251411 DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Adequate nutrition is necessary for achieving optimal growth and neurodevelopment. Growth is a natural and expected process that happens concomitantly with rapid advancements in neurodevelopment. Serial weight, length, and head circumference growth measures are essential for monitoring development, although identifying pathological deviations from normal growth can pose challenges. Appropriate growth assessments require considerations that a range of sizes for length, head circumference, and weight are expected and appropriate. Because of genetic differences and morbidities, there is a considerable overlap between the growth of healthy infants and those with growth alterations. Parents tend to be over-concerned about children who plot low on growth charts and often need reassurance. Thus, the use of terms such as "poor" growth or growth "failure" are discouraged when growth is approximately parallel to growth chart curves even if their size is smaller than specific percentiles. No specific percentile should be set as a growth goal; individual variability should be expected. An infant's size at birth is important information that goes beyond the common use of prognostic predictions of appropriate compared with small or large for gestational age. The lower the birthweight, the lower the nutrient stores and the more important the need for nutrition support. Compared to term infants, preterm infants at term-equivalent age have a higher percentage of body fat, but this diminishes over the next months. Current research findings support expert recommendations that preterm infants should grow, after early postnatal weight loss, similar to the fetus and then term-born infants, which translates to growth approximately parallel to growth chart curves. There is no need for a trade-off between optimum cognition and optimum future health. Each high-risk infant needs individualized nutrition and growth assessments. This review aims to examine infant growth expectations and messaging for parents of preterm and term-born infants within the broader causal framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanis R Fenton
- Community Health Sciences, O'Brien Institute of Public Health, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
| | | | - Seham Elmrayed
- Community Health Sciences, O'Brien Institute of Public Health, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; Institute of Global Health and Human Ecology, American University in Cairo, Egypt
| | - Belal Alshaikh
- Community Health Sciences, O'Brien Institute of Public Health, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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Pineda R, Vesoulis Z, El Ters N, Mathur A. aEEG in the first 3 days after extremely preterm delivery relates to neurodevelopmental outcomes. J Perinatol 2024; 44:857-864. [PMID: 38553599 PMCID: PMC11161402 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-024-01945-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Investigate relationships between aEEG in the first 72 h in extremely preterm infants with 1) infant, medical, and environmental factors, and 2) infant feeding and neurobehavioral outcomes at term and school-age. METHODS Sixty-four preterm infants (≤28 weeks gestation) were enrolled within the first 24-hours of life and had two-channel aEEG until 72 h of life. Standardized neurobehavioral and feeding assessments were conducted at term, and parent-reported outcomes were documented at 5-7 years. RESULTS Lower aEEG Burdjalov scores (adjusted for gestational age) were related to vaginal delivery (p = 0.04), cerebral injury (p = 0.01), Black race (p < 0.01) and having unmarried parents (p = 0.02). Lower Burdjalov scores related to less NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale arousal (p = 0.002) at term and poorer BRIEF global executive function (p = 0.004), inhibition (p = 0.007), working memory (p = 0.02), material organization (p = 0.0008), metacognition (p = 0.01), and behavioral regulation (p = 0.02) at 5-7 years. We did not observe relationships of early aEEG to feeding outcomes or sensory processing measures. CONCLUSION Early aEEG within the first 72 h of life was related to medical and sociodemographic factors as well as cognitive outcome at 5-7 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Pineda
- Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Keck School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Gehr Family Center for Health Systems Science and Innovation, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Zachary Vesoulis
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nathalie El Ters
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Amit Mathur
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Erdei C, Cherkerzian S, Pineda R, Inder TE. Serial neuroimaging of brain growth and development in very preterm infants receiving tailored neuropromotive support in the NICU. Protocol for a prospective cohort study. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1203579. [PMID: 37900676 PMCID: PMC10601637 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1203579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Children born very preterm (VP) remain at risk for long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. Patterns of brain growth and injury, and how early neuropromotive therapies might mitigate developmental risk in VP infants remain insufficiently understood. Methods This is a prospective cohort study of VP infants born at/before 32 weeks gestation. The study will enroll n = 75 consecutively-born VP infants in a level-III NICU. Exposed infants will be categorized into two groups (group 1: low-risk, n = 25 or group 2: high-risk, n = 25) based on the degree of neurological injury on early brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at enrollment. Infants in the low-risk group (i.e., without significant injury defined as intraventricular hemorrhage with dilation, moderate or severe white matter injury, or cerebellar hemorrhage) will receive neurodevelopmental support utilizing the Supporting and Enhancing NICU Sensory Experiences (SENSE) program, while infants in the high-risk group (with neurological injury) will receive more intensive neurorehabilitative support (SENSE-plus). Age-specific, tailored sensory experiences will be facilitated contingently, preferentially by the infant's family with coaching from NICU staff. VP infants in exposure groups will undergo a brain MRI approximately every 2 weeks from enrollment until term-equivalent to monitor brain growth and evolution of injury. Exposed infants will be compared with a reference group (group 3: n = 25), i.e. VP infants whose families decline initial enrollment in SENSE, and subsequently undergo a term-equivalent brain MRI for other purposes. The primary aim of this study is characterization of term-equivalent brain growth and development among VP infants receiving NICU-based neuropromotive interventions compared to VP infants receiving the standard of care. Secondary aims include defining the timing and factors associated with total and regional brain growth on serial brain MRI among VP infants, (Aim 2), and using early imaging to tailor developmental intervention in the NICU while exploring associations with outcomes in VP infants at discharge and at two years corrected age (Aim 3). Discussion This study will address gaps in understanding patterns of brain growth and injury drawing on serial MRI of hospitalized VP infants. These data will also explore the impact of intensive, tailored neuropromotive support delivered prior to term-equivalent on child and family outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmina Erdei
- Department of Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sara Cherkerzian
- Department of Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Roberta Pineda
- Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Terrie E. Inder
- Department of Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Orange County and University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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Pineda R, Liszka L, Tran P, Kwon J, Inder T. Neurobehavior in very preterm infants with low medical risk and full-term infants. J Perinatol 2022; 42:1400-1408. [PMID: 35717460 PMCID: PMC9529919 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-022-01432-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe differences in neurobehavior among very preterm infants with low medical risk at term equivalent age and full-term infants. STUDY DESIGN One-hundred eighty-six (136 infants born ≤32 weeks gestation with low medical risk at term equivalent age and 50 full-term infants within 4 days of birth) had standardized neurobehavioral assessments. Low medical risk was defined by ventilation <10 days and absence of significant brain injury, necrotizing enterocolitis, patent ductus arteriosus, and retinopathy of prematurity. RESULTS Very preterm infants with low medical risk at term equivalent age demonstrated more sub-optimal reflexes (p < 0.001; ß = 1.53) and more stress (p < 0.001; ß = 0.08) on the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale compared to their full-term counterparts. Very preterm infants with low medical risk also performed worse on the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (p = 0.005; ß = -3.4). CONCLUSION Very preterm infants at term equivalent age continue to demonstrate less optimal neurobehavior compared to full-term infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Pineda
- Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Gehr Family Center for Health Systems Science and Innovation, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Center for the Changing Family, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Lara Liszka
- Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Pido Tran
- Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jenny Kwon
- Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Terrie Inder
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Lawford HLS, Nuamah MA, Liley HG, Lee AC, Botchway F, Kumar S, Adjei AA, Bora S. Gestational Age-Specific Distribution of the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination Scores Among Low-Risk Neonates in Ghana. Early Hum Dev 2021; 152:105133. [PMID: 33249301 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2020.105133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe gestational age-specific distribution of scores for the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE) up to 48 h after birth in a low-risk, term-born, single-center sample in Ghana. STUDY DESIGN This is a nested substudy of a larger prospective study (IMPRINT: Impact of Malaria in Pregnancy on Infant Neurodevelopment) comprising 140 low-risk, term-born neonates at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana, between November 2018 and February 2019. The sample was stratified into three gestational age groups: early-term (37 + 0-38 + 6, weeks + days; n = 61), full-term (39 + 0-40 + 6, weeks + days; n = 52), and late/post-term (41 + 0-42 + 6, weeks + days; n = 27). Neonates were administered the 34-item HNNE by trained physicians. As per the original British scoring system, raw scores for the Ghanaian sample were plotted and scores > 10th centile were assigned a score of 1, 5th-10th centile 0.5, and < 5th centile 0. RESULTS The range of raw scores for 16/34 HNNE items varied with gestational age. Specifically, 100% (7/7), 50% (5/10), 33% (1/3), 33% (1/3), 20% (1/5), and 14% (1/7) of items within the orientation and behavior, tone, abnormal signs/patterns, movements, tone patterns, and reflexes subdomain, respectively showed a different distribution of scores above the 10th centile across the three gestational age groups. CONCLUSION Differences in gestational age-specific results within our sample in comparison to the original British sample could be, albeit unlikely, due to misclassification of gestational age, unmeasured maternal or fetal morbidity, or perhaps more likely, variation in testing or test conditions, or some combination of these. Genetic variation in neurological development is also a possibility. Further research is warranted to determine the reasons for differences. Our findings highlight the need to determine the accuracy and reliability of standardized neurologic assessments in predicting neurodevelopmental risk for infants in low- and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriet L S Lawford
- Mothers, Babies and Women's Health Program, Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Mercy A Nuamah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | - Helen G Liley
- Mothers, Babies and Women's Health Program, Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Anne Cc Lee
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Felix Botchway
- Department of Pathology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | - Sailesh Kumar
- Mothers, Babies and Women's Health Program, Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Andrew A Adjei
- Department of Pathology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samudragupta Bora
- Mothers, Babies and Women's Health Program, Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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