The trajectory of head circumference and neurodevelopment in very preterm newborns during the first two years of life: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the growth trajectory of head circumference and neurodevelopment, and to correlate head circumference with cognitive, language, and motor outcomes during the first two years. METHOD: Prospective cohort study in a tertiary hospital including 95 newborns under 32 weeks or 1500 g. Neonates who developed major neonatal morbidities were excluded. The head circumference was measured at birth, at discharge, and at term-equivalent age, 1, 3, 5, 12, 18, and 24 months of corrected age, and the Bayley Scales (Bayley-III) were applied at 12, 18 and 24 months of corrected age to assess cognitive, language and, motor domains. Scores below 85 were classified as mild/moderate deficits and scores below 70 as severe deficits. The association between head circumference Z score and Bayley scores was assessed using Pearson's correlation. The study considered a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: There was a decrease of -0.18 in the head circumference Z score between birth and discharge and the catch-up occurred between discharge and 1 month (an increase of 0.81 in the Z score). There was a positive correlation between head circumference and Bayley scores at 18 months. There was also a positive correlation between head circumference at discharge and at 5 months with the three domains of the Bayley. CONCLUSION: Serial measurements of head circumference provide knowledge of the trajectory of growth, with early catch-up between discharge and 1 month, as well as its association with neurodevelopment. Head circumference is therefore a valuable clinical marker for neurodevelopment, especially in very preterm newborns.

Early growth and body composition assessed by air displacement plethysmography in infants born with simple gastroschisis.

BACKGROUND: Gastroschisis is an abdominal wall malformation usually associated with impaired growth. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the growth and body composition of infants born with simple gastroschisis in a referral center. METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective case series of infants with simple gastroschisis who were measured at birth, at discharge, and at 3 months. Body composition was assessed via air-displacement plethysmography at discharge and at 3 months. The results were compared with those reported for healthy infants at an equivalent gestational age. RESULTS: Simple gastroschisis infants were lighter and smaller at birth and remained similar at 3 months. All anthropometric z scores decreased from birth to discharge, followed by an increase but not a full recovery toward 3 months. Overall, gastroschisis infants had a similar FM percentage, FM% (11.1 ± 4.7), but a lower FFM, FFM (2481 ± 478 g), at discharge. FM% (18.5 ± 5.3) decreased at 3 months, and FFM remained lower (3788 ± 722 g) but improved between the two exams. Boys had significantly more FFM than girls at both evaluations. The multiple regression analysis showed that male sex, prematurity, total parenteral nutrition duration, and exclusive breast milk diets were associated with differences in body composition. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with simple gastroschisis cared for in a referral center experienced growth failure at discharge and showed a similar FM% but lower FFM than healthy infants. At 3 months, they exhibited smaller FM% and FFM, but FFM improved after the first exam, representing a better protein accretion. TYPE OF STUDY: Prognostic. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Body composition at 4 to 7 years of age in children born <32 weeks gestational age or 1500 g: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Small for gestational age preterm infants show differences in body composition when compared to those appropriate for gestational age at term, which have consequences on metabolism. AIM: To compare growth and body composition of children born small and appropriate for gestational age between 4 and 7 years. METHOD: A Cohort of small and appropriate for gestational age infants <32 weeks or 1500 g were followed at term and 3 months corrected ages and at 4 to 7 years. Body composition assessment by air displacement plethysmography and anthropometry were performed at all moments. Differences between the two groups were assessed using t-student and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: Ninety-four infants were included at term (26 small and 68 appropriate for gestational age); 88 at 3 months (24 small and 64 appropriate for gestational age) and 47 between 4 and 7 years (11 small and 36 appropriate for gestational age). At term, small for gestational age infants had lower fat-free mass, fat mass, weight and length compared with those appropriate for gestational age (p < 0.001). At 3 months, fat-free mass (grams) remained lower in small for gestational age group (p < 0.001). Between 4 and 7 years, body composition and anthropometry were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: Between 4 and 7 years, children born small and appropriate for gestational age had similar body composition. New long-term longitudinal studies are necessary to understand the influence of fat-free mass and fat mass in the first months of age on body composition throughout life.

Energy expenditure and body composition in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia at term age.

In this cross-sectional study, conducted in a cohort of infants with a gestational age of < 32 weeks, we aimed to evaluate and compare resting energy expenditure (REE) and body composition between infants who developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and those who did not. REE and body composition were assessed at term equivalent age using indirect calorimetry and air displacement plethysmography. Anthropometric measurements (weight, head circumference, and length) were obtained and transformed into Z-scores per the Fenton (2013) growth curve, at birth and at term equivalent age. Forty-two infants were included in this study, of which 26.2% developed BPD. Infants with BPD had significantly higher energy expenditure at term equivalent age, with no difference in body composition between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Despite expending more energy, infants with BPD maintained a similar body composition distribution to those without BPD, and this is likely due to the recommended nutritional approach. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Greater resting energy expenditure impairs growth of preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. WHAT IS NEW: • Although preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia had a higher resting energy expenditure at the corrected term age, this did not affect their body composition and growth.

Nutritional profile of newborns with microcephaly and factors associated with worse outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the nutritional profile of newborns with microcephaly and factors associated with worse outcomes during the first 14 days of life. METHODS: This investigation is a longitudinal, descriptive study carried out in 21 full-term neonates exposed vertically to the Zika virus and hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit from February to September 2016. Patients receiving parenteral nutrition were excluded. Data analysis was performed using a generalized estimating equation model and Student's t-test to evaluate the association between worsening weight-for-age z-scores and independent clinical, sociodemographic and nutritional variables during hospitalization, with p<0.05 indicating significance. RESULTS: During hospitalization, there was a decrease in the mean values of the weight-for-age z-scores. The factors associated with worse nutritional outcomes were symptomatic exposure to the Zika virus, low maternal schooling, absence of maternal income and consumption of infant formula (p<0.05). Calcification and severe microcephaly were also associated with poor nutritional outcomes. Energy and macronutrient consumption remained below the recommendations and had an upward trend during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The presence of cerebral calcification, the severity of microcephaly and symptomatic maternal exposure to Zika virus affected the nutritional status of newborns. In terms of nutritional factors, human milk intake had a positive impact, reducing weight loss in the first days of life. Other known factors, such as income and maternal schooling, were still associated with a poor nutritional status.

Infants with microcephaly due to ZIKA virus exposure: nutritional status and food practices.

BACKGROUND: Children with microcephaly due to vertical exposure to Zika virus are an interesting population for investigation. Highlighted among their unique aspects are those related to nutrition due to its impact on child growth and development. Knowledge about the nutrition of microcephalic infants can help mothers and caregivers provide better care. Thus, this study aimed to describe the nutritional status and feeding practices of infants with microcephaly due to Zika virus exposure at birth and 12-23 months of age. METHODS: This is a descriptive study developed from a cohort of patients attending a public institution of reference. A total of 65 infants attended outpatient nutrition clinics. The food practices were described using the 24-h food recall and food consumption indicators. Anthropometric measurements and consultations were made using the Child Health Handbook to obtain information on the nutritional status (weight, height and head circumference) at the time of consultation and birth. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in z-scores for weight, height and head circumference (HC) from birth to the time of the consultation. However, most infants did not show weight-for-height deficits. Additionally, HC was correlated with the anthropometric indices weight-for-age, height-for-age, body mass index-for-age and weight-for-height. CONCLUSION: Infants exhibited a worsening of their nutritional status between birth and the time of their consultation, notably when we evaluated the indices of height and head circumference for age. The main inadequacies regarding dietary practices were low food diversity, use of ultra-processed products and low lipid intake.

Nutritional profile of newborns with microcephaly and factors associated with worse outcomes

OBJECTIVE: To describe the nutritional profile of newborns with microcephaly and factors associated with worse outcomes during the first 14 days of life. METHODS: This investigation is a longitudinal, descriptive study carried out in 21 full-term neonates exposed vertically to the Zika virus and hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit from February to September 2016. Patients receiving parenteral nutrition were excluded. Data analysis was performed using a generalized estimating equation model and Student's t-test to evaluate the association between worsening weight-for-age z-scores and independent clinical, sociodemographic and nutritional variables during hospitalization, with p<0.05 indicating significance. RESULTS: During hospitalization, there was a decrease in the mean values of the weight-for-age z-scores. The factors associated with worse nutritional outcomes were symptomatic exposure to the Zika virus, low maternal schooling, absence of maternal income and consumption of infant formula (p<0.05). Calcification and severe microcephaly were also associated with poor nutritional outcomes. Energy and macronutrient consumption remained below the recommendations and had an upward trend during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The presence of cerebral calcification, the severity of microcephaly and symptomatic maternal exposure to Zika virus affected the nutritional status of newborns. In terms of nutritional factors, human milk intake had a positive impact, reducing weight loss in the first days of life. Other known factors, such as income and maternal schooling, were still associated with a poor nutritional status.

Growth and body composition of preterm infants less than or equal to 32 weeks: Cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Extremely preterm infants with weights less than the 10th percentile at discharge have a fat-free mass deficit. AIM: To analyze the relationship of weight Z-scores less than -2SD at term age with fat-free mass and fat mass at term age and at 1 and 3 months of corrected age in very preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: COHORT STUDY: Subjects: Sixty-six preterm infants born before or at 32 weeks gestation with birth weight equal or greater than the 10th percentile for age were included at term age. They were classified according to weight Z-score as either: "term (-)" (n = 18) if weight Z-scores were less -2SD or "term (+)" (n = 48) if the weight Z-scores were equal or greater than -2SD at term age. OUTCOME MEASURES: Growth and body composition by an air displacement plethysmography system and bioimpedance were assessed at term age and 1 and 3 months of corrected age. RESULTS: Lower fat-free mass persisted up to 3 months in the "term (-)" group [4137 g (645) vs 4592 g (707), p < .01]. Fat mass was lower in the "term (-)" group at term and at 1 month but was similar at 3 months of corrected age [1295 g (774) vs 1477 g (782), p = .109]. Weight, length and head circumference Z-scores were lower in the "term (-)" group compared to those in the "term (+)" group. CONCLUSIONS: The lean tissue deficits were maintained in the "term (-)" group while the differences in body fat percentage were not.