ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the changes of protein and energy intakes and the z-score of weight for age in appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and small for gestational age (SGA) preterm infants with gestational age less than 34 weeks. Methods The data from 314 hospitalized premature infants ( 268 cases of AGA and 46 cases of SGA) during January 2012 to December 2014 were retrospectively collected. The intakes of protein and energy and the changes of weight within 2 weeks after birth were compared. Results Compared with AGA group, the hospital stays, durations of parenteral and enteral nutrition and total enteral nutrition, and time to achieve full dose feeding were signiifcantly longer in SGA group (P?0 . 05 ). The energy intakes on day 4 , 8 , and 12 after birth in SGA group was obviously lower than in AGA group;the protein intakes on day 6 and 8 in SGA group was also obviously lower than in AGA group (P?0 . 05 ). The daily average weight gain was signiifcantly higher in SGA group than that in AGA group (P?0 . 05 ). The z-score of weight for age was gradually away from the median level in both AGA group and SGA group within 2 weeks after birth. Moreover, the z-score of weight for age at 2 weeks was lower in SGA group than that in AGA group (P?0 . 05 ). Conclusions The growth velocity in SGA premature infants was faster than that in AGA premature infants with gestation age lower than 34 weeks after recovery of birth weight. There was catch-up growth to some extent. However, the growth of SGA and AGA premature infants need to be improved.
ABSTRACT
Although nutritional therapy is essential for the treatment of childhood cancer, it remains a challenge, especially within the developing world, where there are many barriers to optimizing treatment. The oral route is the first approach to nutritional support, however challenging this might be in children with cancer. Oral supplements are indicated in moderate evaluated nutritional risk patients and its use should consider the family’s social conditions and access to industrialized oral supplements. If unavailable, homemade oral supplements can be used respecting regional accessibility, local foods, and culture. Nonetheless, many patients cannot sustain nutritional status on oral feeding alone and need to be supported by enteral tube feeding. Enteral feeding may be modified to accommodate the financial constraints of institution in low‑ and middle‑income countries (LMICs). In some oncologic situations, however, enteral nutrition is not possible and parenteral nutrition is indicated, although only if the need for nutritional support is anticipated to be longer than 5–7 days. Nutritional support in pediatric oncology remains a challenge, especially in LMICs, however, it can be undertaken by getting the best out of the available resources.