Evaluation of the nutritional status at 40 weeks corrected gestational age in a cohort of very low birth weight infants

Abstract

The most effective means of preventing babies being malnourished at term is by encouraging perinatal practices aimed at preventing restricted intrauterine growth, in addition to giving priority to aggressive nutritional management.

Growth and Nutritional Status at Corrected Term Gestational Age in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

“…Similar to other studies [12,16] on post natal malnutrition, female sex, lower birth weight, lower gestation at birth, poor in utero growth and infant sickness significantly contributed to malnutrition at term in VLBW infants. In this study prolonged oxygen requirement and prolonged hospitalization are indirect markers of infant sickness.…”

“…The lower prevalence of malnutrition in the present study may be attributed to early and aggressive enteral nutrition, ad libitum spoon or palade feeds and universal policy of Kangaroo Mother Care. In this study, the mean time to achieve full enteral feeds was 7.2±4.7 days and it was delayed by nearly 1 week (13.5 days) in the study by Gianini et al at [12] and by 1 to 2 weeks (median of 15 and 20 days in the conventional and aggressive nutritional groups respectively) in the study by Dinerstein et al [13]. However, the difference may also be attributed to the differences in study population, nutritional and feeding practices [14] and use of different reference growth charts [15].…”

“…Significantly lower z scores of birth weight in malnourished infants reflect the effect of poor in utero nutrition on post natal growth. In the study by Gianini et al [12] small for gestational age increased the risk of malnutrition by 12.1 times and male sex, time to reach full feeds before 10 days of life decreased the risk of malnutrion by 0.4 and 0.5 times respectively. Different studies [12,17] confirm the superiority of postnatal growth among male infants compared with female, demonstrating evidence that muscle mass is better incorporated among boys.…”

“…Similar or higher prevalence of malnutrition is reported by other studies evaluating post natal malnutrition. 63% of VLBW infants were malnourished at 40 weeks corrected gestation in the study by Gianini et al [12]. Another study [13] comparing aggressive nutrition vs conventional nutrition in VLBW infants reported 53% and 77% post natal malnutrition, respectively.…”

Extrauterine growth retardation in premature infants in Shanghai: a multicenter retrospective review

“…Kuzma et al [10] indicated that development and implementation of evidence-based nutrition support practices in neonates leads to improved nutrient intake and growth, with reduced duration of hospital stay and related costs. Gianini et al [7] reported that being born at a unit with aggressive nutritional support techniques reduced the risk of malnutrition at term by 2.17 times.…”