Implementation of a Nutrition Care Bundle and Improved Weight Gain of Extremely Preterm Infants to 36 Weeks Postmenstrual Age.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a nutrition care bundle in improving growth in premature infants during neonatal hospitalization. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data for 584 surviving infants with birth weight ≤1000 g and gestational age 24-29 weeks admitted to a single-center neonatal intensive care unit between July 3, 2005, and June 6, 2016. Participants were divided into 3 discrete epochs based on evolving nutrition practices during the study period: epoch 1, baseline, open-bay setting; epoch 2, improved lactation staffing, introduction of high-protein formula, single-family room setting; epoch 3, complete nutrition care bundle. Infants in each epoch were evaluated for the primary outcome of change in weight z-score between postnatal day 7 and 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) or discharge if sooner. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of clinical variables on outcome. RESULTS: Significant increases in weight z-score between day of life 7 and 36 weeks PMA were observed across the 3 epochs, which accounted for 31% (P < .0001) of the variance. Variables that were positive predictors of weight z-score change included birth weight z-score, cesarean delivery, and later epochs of nutritional support. Variables that were negative predictors of weight change included gestational age, postnatal steroids, and days on parenteral nutrition. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a nutrition care bundle was associated with improved weight gain in extremely low birth weight infants.

Association of intralipid intake in extremely low birthweight infants with neurodevelopmental outcomes.

AIM: To determine whether high intake of intralipid (IL) in extremely low birthweight (ELBW) neonates is associated with higher rates of neuroimpairment and Bayley III scores at two years of corrected age. METHODS: Quartiles of IL received by 389 ELBW infants were linked to neurodevelopmental outcomes. Logistic regression analyses, adjusted for confounders, were performed to determine the association between IL dose and neuroimpairment. Linear regression analyses were performed to predict Bayley III scores. RESULTS: No association was found between IL dose and neuroimpairment A significant association was found between higher IL intake and lower Bayley Cognitive, motor and language scores. Adding breast milk intake to the linear regression eliminated the associations. CONCLUSION: Higher IL intake was associated with lower cognitive, motor and language scores. Breast milk intake eliminated the latter associations, which underscores the important role of breast milk in developmental outcome.

Differential Effects of the Single-Family Room Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on 18- to 24-Month Bayley Scores of Preterm Infants.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of human milk and social/environmental disparities on developmental outcomes of infants born preterm cared for in a single-family room (SFR) neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). STUDY DESIGN: Outcomes were compared between infants weighing ?1250 g cared for in an open-bay NICU (1/2007-8/2009) (n?=?394) and an SFR NICU (1/2010-12/2011) (n?=?297). Human milk provision at 1 week, 4 weeks and discharge, and 4 week volume (mL/kg/day) were analyzed. At 18-24 months of age, the Bayley III was administered. Group differences were evaluated and multiple linear regression analyses were run. RESULTS: Infants cared for in the SFR NICU had higher Bayley III cognitive and language scores, higher rates of human milk provision at 1 and 4 weeks, and higher human milk volume at 4 weeks. In adjusted regression models, the SFR NICU was associated with a 2.55-point increase in Bayley cognitive scores and 3.70-point increase in language scores. Every 10?mL/kg/day increase of human milk at 4 weeks was independently associated with increases in Bayley cognitive, language, and motor scores (0.29, 0.34, and 0.24, respectively). Medicaid was associated with decreased cognitive (?4.11) and language (?3.26) scores, and low maternal education and non-white race with decreased language scores (?4.7 and ?5.8, respectively). Separate models by insurance status suggest there are differential benefits from SFR NICU and human milk between infants with Medicaid and private insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Infants born preterm cared for in the SFR NICU have higher Bayley language and cognitive scores and receive more human milk. Independent effects on outcomes were derived from SFR NICU, provision of human milk, and social and environmental factors.

First-week protein and energy intakes are associated with 18-month developmental outcomes in extremely low birth weight infants.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the association between early protein and energy intake and neurodevelopment and growth of extremely low birth weight (<1000 g) infants. STUDY DESIGN: Daily protein and energy intakes were collected by chart review for the first 4 weeks of life on 148 extremely low birth weight survivors. A total of 124 infants (84%) returned for evaluation at 18 months' corrected age. Bivariate analysis tested correlations between weekly protein or energy intakes and Bayley Mental Development Index, Psychomotor Development Index, or growth at 18 months. Separate regression models evaluated contributions of protein (grams per kilogram per day) and energy intake (kilojoules per kilogram per day) to the Mental Development Index, Psychomotor Development Index, and growth, while controlling for known confounders. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding variables, week 1 energy and protein intakes were each independently associated with the Mental Development Index. During week 1, every 42 kJ (10 kcal)/kg per day were associated with a 4.6-point increase in the Mental Development Index and each gram per kilogram per day in protein intake with an 8.2-point increase in the Mental Development Index; higher protein intake was also associated with lower likelihood of length <10th percentile. CONCLUSIONS: Increased first-week protein and energy intakes are associated with higher Mental Development Index scores and lower likelihood of length growth restrictions at 18 months in extremely low birth weight infants. Emphasis should be placed on providing more optimal protein and energy during this first week.

Persistent beneficial effects of breast milk ingested in the neonatal intensive care unit on outcomes of extremely low birth weight infants at 30 months of age.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported beneficial effects of breast milk ingestion by infants with extremely low birth weight in the NICU on developmental outcomes at 18 months' corrected age. The objective of this study was to determine whether these effects of breast milk in infants with extremely low birth weight persisted at 30 months' corrected age. METHODS: Nutrition data, including enteral and parenteral feeds, were prospectively collected, and 30 months' corrected age follow-up assessments were completed on 773 infants with extremely low birth weight who participated in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network Glutamine Trial. A total of 593 ingested some breast milk during the neonatal hospitalization, and 180 ingested none. Neonatal feeding characteristics and morbidities and 30-month interim history, neurodevelopmental outcomes, and growth parameters were analyzed. Children were divided into quintiles of breast milk volume to evaluate the effects of volume of human milk ingested during the NICU hospitalization. RESULTS: At 30 months, increased ingestion of breast milk was associated with higher Bayley Mental Developmental Index scores, higher Bayley behavior score percentiles for emotional regulation, and fewer rehospitalizations between discharge and 30 months. There were no differences in growth parameters or cerebral palsy. For every 10 mL/kg per day increase in breast milk, the Mental Developmental Index increased by 0.59 points, the Psychomotor Developmental Index by 0.56 points, and the total behavior percentile score by 0.99 points, and the risk of rehospitalization between discharge and 30 months decreased by 5%. CONCLUSIONS: Beneficial effects of ingestion of breast milk in the NICU persist at 30 months' corrected age in this vulnerable extremely low birth weight population. Continued efforts must be made to offer breast milk to all extremely low birth weight infants both in the NICU and after discharge.

Beneficial effects of breast milk in the neonatal intensive care unit on the developmental outcome of extremely low birth weight infants at 18 months of age.

OBJECTIVE: Beneficial effects of breast milk on cognitive skills and behavior ratings have been demonstrated previously in term and very low birth weight infants. Extremely low birth weight infants are known to be at increased risk for developmental and behavior morbidities. The benefits of breast milk that is ingested in the NICU by extremely low birth weight infants on development and behavior have not been evaluated previously. METHODS: Nutrition data including enteral and parenteral feeds were collected prospectively, and follow-up assessments of 1035 extremely low birth weight infants at 18 months' corrected age were completed at 15 sites that were participants in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network Glutamine Trial between October 14, 1999, and June 25, 2001. Total volume of breast milk feeds (mL/kg per day) during hospitalization was calculated. Neonatal characteristics and morbidities, interim history, and neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes at 18 to 22 months' corrected age were assessed. RESULTS: There were 775 (74.9%) infants in the breast milk and 260 (25.1%) infants in the no breast milk group. Infants in the breast milk group were similar to those in the no breast milk group in every neonatal characteristic and morbidity, including number of days of hospitalization. Mean age of first day of breast milk for the breast milk infants was 9.3 +/- 9 days. Infants in the breast milk group began to ingest non-breast milk formula later (22.8 vs 7.3 days) compared with the non-breast milk group. Age at achieving full enteral feeds was similar between the breast milk and non-breast milk groups (29.0 +/- 18 vs 27.4 +/- 15). Energy intakes of 107.5 kg/day and 105.9 kg/day during the hospitalization did not differ between the breast milk and non-breast milk groups, respectively. At discharge, 30.6% of infants in the breast milk group still were receiving breast milk. Mothers in the breast milk group were significantly more likely to be white (42% vs 27%), be married (50% vs 30%), have a college degree (22% vs 6%), and have private health insurance (34% vs 18%) compared with the no breast milk group. Mothers who were black, had a low household income (< or = dollar 20000), or had higher parity were less likely to provide breast milk feeds. The analysis of outcomes between the any human milk and no human milk groups were adjusted for maternal age, maternal education, marital status, race/ethnicity, and the other standard covariates. Children in the breast milk group were more likely to have a Bayley Mental Development Index > or = 85, higher mean Bayley Psychomotor Development Index, and higher Bayley Behavior Rating Scale percentile scores for orientation/engagement, motor regulation, and total score. There were no differences in the rates of moderate to severe cerebral palsy or blindness or hearing impairment between the 2 study groups. There were no differences in the mean weight (10.4 kg vs 10.4 kg), length (80.5 cm vs 80.5 cm), or head circumference (46.8 cm vs 46.6 cm) for the breast milk and no breast milk groups, respectively, at 18 months. Multivariate analyses, adjusting for confounders, confirmed a significant independent association of breast milk on all 4 primary outcomes: the mean Bayley (Mental Development Index, Psychomotor Development Index, Behavior Rating Scale, and incidence of rehospitalization). For every 10-mL/kg per day increase in breast milk ingestion, the Mental Development Index increased by 0.53 points, the Psychomotor Development Index increased by 0.63 points, the Behavior Rating Scale percentile score increased by 0.82 points, and the likelihood of rehospitalization decreased by 6%. In an effort to identify a threshold effect of breast milk on Bayley Mental Development Index and Psychomotor Development Index scores and Behavior Rating Scale percentile scores, the mean volume of breast milk per kilogram per day during the hospitalization was calculated, and infants in the breast milk group were divided into quintiles of breast milk ingestion adjusted for confounders. Overall, the differences across the feeding quintiles of Mental Development Index and Psychomotor Development Index were significant. There was a 14.0% difference in Behavior Rating Scale scores between the lowest and highest quintiles. For the outcomes (Mental Development Index, Psychomotor Development Index, Behavior Rating Scale, and Rehospitalization <1 year), only the values for the >80th percentile quintile of breast milk feeding were significantly different from the no breast milk values. In our adjusted regression analyses, every 10 mL/kg per day breast milk contributed 0.53 points to the Bayley Mental Development Index; therefore, the impact of breast milk ingestion during the hospitalization for infants in the highest quintile (110 mL/kg per day) on the Bayley Mental Development Index would be 10 x 0.53, or 5.3 points. CONCLUSIONS: An increase of 5 points potentially would optimize outcomes and decrease costs by decreasing the number of very low birth weight children who require special education services. The societal implications of a 5-point potential difference (one third of an SD) in IQ are substantial. The potential long-term benefit of receiving breast milk in the NICU for extremely low birth weight infants may be to optimize cognitive potential and reduce the need for early intervention and special education services.

The effects of the introduction of a high-nutrient transitional formula on growth and development of very-low-birth-weight infants.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of introducing a high-nutrient transitional formula (TF) for use after discharge on the growth and development of premature infants. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a cohort study of all surviving infants with a birth weight < or =1250 g admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 1996. Infants with major congenital abnormalities were excluded. There were 180 infants discharged, including 66 on TF and 114 on standard formulas for full-term infants. RESULTS: Use of TF started the week before discharge, and increased from 10% in 1995 to 66% in 1996 (p<0.001). Regression analyses controlling for multiple confounders identified TF as a significant contributor to improved weight at 3 months and length at 18 months. Bayley developmental scores were not affected. CONCLUSION: Introduction of a TF for very-low-birth-weight infants resulted in improved growth after discharge.