Neonatal and Preterm Infant Growth Assessment.

The needs to assess preterm infant growth clinically differ from the needs to summarize growth for research. Clinically, growth assessments are used to understand individuals' growth relative to their individual genetic potential, morbidity status and nutrition care. Growth quantification for research purposes is used to quantify growth of groups using meaningful metrics. Historically, neonatology has lacked consistency in the use of growth metrics, over-used irrelevant categories and over-diagnosed growth failure. Understanding the numerous preterm infant expected growth patterns can help identify concerning growth.

Evaluation of A Concentrated Preterm Formula as a Liquid Human Milk Fortifier in Preterm Babies at Increased Risk of Feed Intolerance.

There are concerns around safety and tolerance of powder human milk fortifiers to optimize nutrition in preterm infants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tolerance and safety of a concentrated preterm formula (CPF) as a liquid human milk fortifier (HMF) for premature infants at increased risk of feeding intolerance. We prospectively enrolled preterm infants over an 18-month period, for whom a clinical decision had been made to add CPF to human milk due to concerns regarding tolerance of powder HMF. Data on feed tolerance, anthropometry, and serum biochemistry values were recorded. Serious adverse events, such as mortality, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and sepsis, were monitored. A total of 29 babies received CPF fortified milk during the study period. The most common indication for starting CPF was previous intolerance to powder HMF. Feeding intolerance was noted in 4 infants on CPF. The growth velocity of infants was satisfactory (15.9 g/kg/day) after addition of CPF to feeds. The use of CPF as a fortifier in preterm babies considered at increased risk for feed intolerance seems well tolerated and facilitates adequate growth. Under close nutrition monitoring, this provides an additional option for human milk fortification in this challenging subgroup of preterm babies, especially in settings with limited human milk fortifier options.

Evaluation of sodium deficit in infants undergoing intestinal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Sodium is a critical growth factor for children. Severe deficits cause growth impairment and cognitive dysfunction. Both the diagnosis and risk of sodium depletion in children undergoing intestinal surgery are poorly understood. METHODS: With IRB approval, children undergoing intestinal surgery (2009-2012) who had a urine sodium measurement were retrospectively reviewed. Sodium deficits were defined: urine sodium <30 mmol/L and <10 mmol/L were deficient and severely deficient, respectively. Demographics, weight changes, and intake (sodium, fluid, and nutritional) were tabulated. Data were analyzed using regression analysis and Mann Whitney U tests. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients, 51.3% female, with a gestational age of 32.2 weeks and weight of 1.43 kg were identified. The most common diagnoses were NEC (38.5%), intestinal atresia (20.5%), and isolated perforation (10.3%). Sodium deficiency was documented in 36/39 (92%) and 92.9% for those in continuity. Severe deficiency occurred in 64%. Urine sodium was significantly correlated with weight gain (p=0.002). Weight gain in patients with urine sodium <30 mmol/L was significantly decreased vs. those ≥30 mmol/L (+0.58 g/d vs. +21.6 g/d, p=0.016). CONCLUSION: In this population, sodium depletion is common in children undergoing intestinal surgery, even when the colon is in continuity. Correction of the sodium deficit to achieve urine sodium >30 mmol/L is associated with improved weight gain.

Impact of shielding parenteral nutrition from light on routine monitoring of blood glucose and triglyceride levels in preterm neonates.

BACKGROUND: Premature infants are vulnerable to complications related to oxidative stress. Exposure to light increases oxidation products in solutions of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) such as lipid peroxides and hydrogen peroxide. Oxidative stress impairs glucose uptake and affects lipid metabolism. HYPOTHESIS: products of photo-oxidation contaminating TPN affect lipid metabolism. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effect of photoprotection of TPN in preterm infants on plasma glucose and triglyceride (TG) concentrations. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a prospective study allocating preterm infants to light-exposed (LE, n = 32) or light-protected (LP, n = 27) TPN. SETTING: Level III NICU referral centre for patients of British Columbia. PATIENTS: Preterm infants requiring TPN. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOME MEASURES: TG and blood glucose measured during routine monitoring while on full TPN were compared between LE and LP. RESULTS: Clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups (gestational age 28+/-1 wk; birth weight: 1.0+/-0.1 kg). Nutrient intakes from TPN and from minimal enteral nutrition were comparable between LE and LP. Blood glucose was higher in preterm infants receiving LE (p<0.001). The accumulation of TG with increasing lipid intake was twice as high with LE accounting for significantly higher TG levels on days 8 and 9 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Failure to photoprotect TPN may cause alterations in intermediary metabolism. Shielding TPN from light provides a potential benefit for preterm infants by avoiding hypertriglyceridaemia allowing for increased substrate delivery.

Photoprotection of parenteral nutrition enhances advancement of minimal enteral nutrition in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Light exposure of TPN generates peroxides which induce vasoconstriction. Mesenteric vasoconstriction may affect feeding tolerance. Since photo-protection of TPN decreases peroxide generation, we hypothesized that shielding TPN from light may improve the establishment of minimal enteral nutrition in preterm infants. METHODS: Infants were randomized to TPN being light exposed (LE) or protected (LP) from birth. Feeding volumes were monitored through 7 days of life in those initiated on minimal enteral nutrition (MEN). Comparisons between LP and LE were performed by ANOVA. RESULTS: Daily increments and cumulative volumes of enteral feeds (mL/kg birth weight/d) during the first week of life were significantly higher in LP (n = 18) than LE (n = 19). CONCLUSION: Photo-protection of parenteral nutrition enhances advancement of MEN in preterm infants. Further research is needed to substantiate these findings and determine whether this confers long-term nutritional advantages.