Efficacy of creamatocrit technique in evaluation of premature infants fed with breast milk

Bebês pré-termo: aleitamento materno e evolução ponderal

O objetivo do estudo foi identificar fatores associados à prática do aleitamento materno (AM), ao ganho ponderal e ao estado nutricional de bebês pré-termos durante os seis primeiros meses de vida e verificar correlação entre essas variáveis e características maternas e neonatais. Estudo analítico, tipo coorte, realizado com 42 bebês pré-termos nascidos entre maio e outubro de 2008. A prevalência de AM foi de 40,5% aos seis meses e a média de ganho ponderal variou entre 18 e 40g/dia. A prática de AM esteve associada ao menor peso e à menor idade gestacional de nascimento. O ganho ponderal apresentou correlação positiva com a idade gestacional e o peso ao nascer, a idade materna e a prática do AM aos 15 dias após a alta. Ser prematuro não impediu a prática do AM; entretanto, o ganho ponderal foi maior entre aqueles nascidos com melhores condições de crescimento e maturação intrauterina.

Optimizing nutrition in preterm infants

Extrauterine growth restriction is common in very preterm infants. The incidence in very-low-birth-weight infants ranges between 43% and 97% in various centers, with a wide variability due to the use of different reference growth charts and nonstandard nutritional strategies. Extrauterine growth restriction is associated with an increased risk of poor neurodevelopmental outcome. Inadequate postnatal nutrition is an important factor contributing to growth failure, as most very preterm infants experience major protein and energy deficits during neonatal intensive care unit hospitalization. First-week protein and energy intake are associated with 18-month developmental outcomes in very preterm infants. Early aggressive nutrition, including parenteral and enteral, is well tolerated in the very preterm infant and is effective in improving growth. Continued provision of appropriate nutrition (fortified human milk or premature formula) is important throughout the growing care during the hospitalization. After discharge, exclusively breast-fed infants require additional supplementation. If formula-fed, nutrient-enriched postdischarge formula should be continued for approximately 9 months corrected age. Supplementation of the preterm formulas with protein would increase the protein/energy ratio (3 g/100 kcal), leading to increased lean mass with relatively decreased fat deposition. Further research is required to optimize the nutritional needs of preterm infants and to evaluate the effects of nutritional interventions on long-term growth, neurodevelopment, and other health outcomes.