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\"The goal of nutritional management in VLBW and ELBW infants is the achievement of postnatal growth at a rate that approximates the intrauterine growth of a normal fetus at the same postconceptional age. In reality, however, growth lags considerably after birth; although non-nutritional factors are involved, nutrient deficiencies are critical in explaining delayed growth. This practical clinically-oriented pocketbook reviews and summarises all available clinical evidence. It enables the reader to implement parenteral or enteral feeding plans, with the goals of reducing postnatal weight loss, earlier return to birthweight, and improved catch-up growth. Both nutrient balance and growth and the impact on neurodevelopment and health outcomes are evaluated. With many tables and algorithms to summarise key data and management strategies, Nutritional Strategies for the Very Low Birthweight Infant is an invaluable guide for all healthcare professionals caring for premature babies\"--Provided by publisher.

Background Bovine colostrum (BC) contains a range of milk bioactive components, and it is unknown how human milk fortification with BC affects glucose-regulatory hormones in very preterm infants (VPIs). This study aimed to investigate the associations between hormone concentrations and fortification type, birth weight (appropriate/small for gestational age, AGA/SGA), milk intake, postnatal age, and body growth. Methods 225 VPIs were randomized to fortification with BC or conventional fortifier (CF). Plasma hormones were measured before, one and two weeks after start of fortification. ΔZ-scores from birth to 35 weeks postmenstrual age were calculated. Results Compared with CF, infants fortified with BC had higher plasma GLP-1, GIP, glucagon, and leptin concentrations after start of fortification. Prior to fortification, leptin concentrations were negatively associated with growth, while IGF-1 concentrations associated positively with growth during fortification. In AGA infants, hormone concentrations generally increased after one week of fortification. Relative to AGA infants, SGA infants showed reduced IGF-1 and leptin concentrations. Conclusion Fortification with BC increased the plasma concentrations of several glucose-regulatory hormones. Concentrations of IGF-1 were positively, and leptin negatively, associated with growth. Glucose-regulatory hormone levels were affected by birth weight, milk intake and postnatal age, but not closely associated with growth in VPIs. Impact Little is known about the variation in glucose-regulatory hormones in the early life of very preterm infants (VPIs). This study shows that the levels of glucose-regulatory hormones in plasma of VPIs are highly variable and modified by birth weight (appropriate or small for gestational age, AGA or SGA), the type of fortifier, enteral nutritional intake, and advancing postnatal age. The results confirm that IGF-1 levels are positively associated with early postnatal growth in VPIs, yet the levels of both IGF-1 and other glucose-regulatory hormones appeared to explain only a small part of the overall variation in growth rates.

Background Feeding breast milk is associated with reduced morbidity and mortality, as well as improved neurodevelopmental outcome but does not meet the high nutritional requirements of preterm infants. Both plasma and urinary urea concentrations represent amino acid oxidation and low concentrations may indicate insufficient protein supply. This study assesses the effect of different levels of enteral protein on plasma and urinary urea concentrations and determines if the urinary urea-creatinine ratio provides reliable information about the protein status of preterm infants. Methods Sixty preterm infants (birthweight < 1500 g; gestational age < 32 weeks) were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial and assigned to either a lower-protein group (median protein intake 3.7 g/kg/d) or a higher-protein group (median protein intake 4,3 g/kg/d). Half the patients in the higher-protein group received standardized supplementation with a supplement adding 1.8 g protein/100 ml milk, the other half received individual supplementation depending on the respective mother’s milk macronutrient content. Plasma urea concentration was determined in two scheduled blood samples (BS1; BS2); urinary urea and creatinine concentrations in weekly spot urine samples. Results The higher-protein group showed higher plasma urea concentrations in both BS1 and BS2 and a higher urinary urea-creatinine-ratio in week 3 and 5–7 compared to the lower-protein group. In addition, a highly positive correlation between plasma urea concentrations and the urinary urea-creatinine-ratio ( p  < 0.0001) and between actual protein intake and plasma urea concentrations and the urinary urea-creatinine-ratio (both p  < 0.0001) was shown. Conclusions The urinary urea-creatinine-ratio, just like plasma urea concentrations, may help to estimate actual protein supply, absorption and oxidation in preterm infants and, additionally, can be determined non-invasively. Further investigations are needed to determine reliable cut-off values of urinary urea concentrations to ensure appropriate protein intake. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov; NCT01773902 registered 15 January 2013, retrospectively registered.

Despite improvements in nutritional management, preterm infants continue to face high rates of postnatal growth restriction. Because variability in breast milk composition may result in protein and energy deficits, targeted fortification has been advocated. We conducted an interventional study to compare body composition and growth outcomes of very low birth weight infants fed targeted protein-fortified human milk (HM) with those fed standard fortified HM. If mother’s own milk was not available, donor milk was used. Weekly analysis of HM with mid-infrared spectroscopy was conducted and additional protein was added to the fortified HM to ensure a protein intake of 4 g/kg/day. Weekly anthropometric measurements were done. Prior to discharge or at 37 weeks, corrected age skinfold thickness (SFT) measurements as well as body composition measurement using air displacement plethysmography were done. Among 36 preterm infants enrolled, those in the targeted group (n = 17) received more protein and had a larger flank SFT at study end than those in the standard group (n = 19). A pilot post-hoc analysis of subjects having at least 30 intervention days showed a 3% higher fat-free mass in the targeted group. Use of a targeted fortification strategy resulted in a higher protein intake and fat-free mass among those receiving longer intervention.

Objective: Little information exists regarding gastric residual (GR) evaluation prior to feedings in premature infants. The purpose of this study was to compare the amount of feedings at 2 and 3 weeks of age, number of days to full feedings, growth and incidence of complications between infants who underwent RGR (routine evaluation of GR) evaluation versus those who did not. Study Design: Sixty-one premature infants were randomized to one of two groups. Group 1 received RGR evaluation prior to feeds and Group 2 did not. Result: There was no difference in amount of feeding at 2 ( P =0.66) or 3 ( P =0.41) weeks of age, growth, days on parenteral nutrition or complications. Although not statistically significant, infants without RGR evaluation reached feeds of 150 ml kg −1 per day 6 days earlier and had 6 fewer days with central venous access. Conclusion: Results suggest RGR evaluation may not improve nutritional outcomes in premature infants.

Very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) often demonstrate instability in their physiological indicators, such as bradycardia, apnea, and desaturation. According to reports, the provision of positive sensory stimulation by parents in the NICU can alleviate distress and improve the stability of physiological indicators in preterm infants. Our objective was to assess the effect of breast milk sniffing on the physiological parameters of infants with very low birth weight. A prospective, single-center, randomized controlled trial was conducted. One hundred and twenty very low birth weight infants were enrolled according to specific criteria and were randomly assigned into two groups, with 60 infants in each group, using a block randomization principle. Use a gauze pad or breast milk pad soaked in breast milk to give the infant the opportunity to smell the scent of breast milk. This experience began after the withdrawal of invasive mechanical ventilation in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, with the infants being positioned on their side and the soaked spill pads placed 2–3 cm near the infant’s nose. The pads were changed every two hours to ensure that the infants received a continuous breast milk sniffing experience. The control group received standard care without the experience of breast milk sniffing. The stability of physiological indicators (heart rate, respiration, transcutaneous pulse oximetry) was assessed from the day of weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation until discharge in both groups. A narrower range of fluctuation was observed across all physiological indicators in the intervention group, indicating a more stable pattern compared to the control group. Although no significant difference was found in heart rate variability (50.35 ± 9.61 vs. 48.03 ± 10.2, t =-1.320, P  = 0.187), a significant difference was noted in the average heart rate between the two groups (155.65 ± 6.80 vs. 153.58 ± 4.22, t =-2.141, P  = 0.032). While there was no significant difference in the average respiratory rate between the two groups (53.40 ± 0.96 vs. 53.36 ± 0.92, t =-1.499, P  = 0.134), a statistically significant difference was identified in the range of respiratory rate variability (7.64 ± 6.13 vs. 7.28 ± 1.98, t =-2.123, P  = 0.034). Furthermore, although no statistically significant differences in average oxygen saturation values were observed between the groups, it was suggested that measurements within the intervention group exhibited relatively greater stability. The significance of the breast milk sniffing experience in stabilizing physiological indicators in very low birth weight infants has been demonstrated, and it may hold promise for future research. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05406804, registered on 06/06/2022.

Objectives To evaluate whether preterm very low birth weight (VLBW) infants receiving early iron (EI) supplementation (2 mg/kg/day elemental iron) at 2 weeks postnatal age have improved serum ferritin levels compared with late iron (LI) supplementation at 6 weeks postnatal age. Design Single-blinded parallel-group interventional randomised controlled trial. Setting Tertiary care centre in southern India. Interventions Randomised at 2 weeks postnatal age to EI and LI groups and evaluated at 2, 6 and 12 weeks postnatal age. Outcome The primary outcome was serum ferritin level at 12 weeks, and the secondary outcomes were the incidence of neonatal morbidities, haemoglobin level, anthropometric parameters and blood transfusion requirements. Results Of the 104 babies randomised, outcomes were analysed in 46 and 47 babies in EI and LI groups, respectively. Serum ferritin level was significantly higher (p<0.001) at 12 weeks (82±5 vs 63±3 ng/mL) in the EI group. Haemoglobin (10.1±0.4 vs 9.2±0.4 g/dL) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (31±0.5 vs 29.4±0.5 g/dL) were also significantly (p<0.001) higher at 12 weeks in the EI group. There was a significant decrease of ferritin in the LI group and significant increase in ferritin in the EI group at 6 weeks compared with 2 weeks. There were no significant differences in the incidences of neonatal morbidities (necrotising enterocolitis, periventricular leukomalacia, retinopathy of prematurity), anthropometric parameters and blood transfusion requirements between the two groups. Conclusions EI supplementation in preterm VLBW infants improves serum ferritin and haemoglobin levels. Trial registration: CTRI/2013/01/003277.

In this randomized trial involving very preterm or very-low-birth-weight infants, there was no significant difference in survival without moderate or severe neurodevelopmental disability at 24 months with a strategy of advancing milk feeding volumes in daily increments of 30 ml per kilogram of body weight as compared with 18 ml per kilogram.

The goal of nutritional management in VLBW and ELBW infants is the achievement of postnatal growth at a rate that approximates the intrauterine growth of a normal fetus at the same postconceptional age. In reality, however, growth lags considerably after birth; although non-nutritional factors are involved, nutrient deficiencies are critical in explaining delayed growth. This practical clinically-oriented pocketbook reviews and summarises all available clinical evidence. It enables the reader to implement parenteral or enteral feeding plans, with the goals of reducing postnatal weight loss, earlier return to birthweight, and improved catch-up growth. Both nutrient balance and growth and the impact on neurodevelopment and health outcomes are evaluated. With many tables and algorithms to summarise key data and management strategies, Nutritional Strategies for the Very Low Birthweight Infant is an invaluable guide for all healthcare professionals caring for premature babies.

Background: Optimal nutrient supply to very low birth weight (VLBW: BW <1,500 g) infants is important for growth and neurodevelopment. Growth restriction is common among these infants and may be associated with neurocognitive impairments. Objectives: To compare an enhanced nutrient supply to a routine supply given to VLBW infants and to evaluate the effects on visual perception of global form and motion measured by visual event-related potentials (VERP). Methods: A total of 50 VLBW infants were randomized to an intervention group that received an increased supply of energy, protein, fat, essential fatty acids, and vitamin A or a control group that received standard nutritional care. At 5 months' corrected age the infants were examined using VERP to investigate the responses to global form and motion. VERP were analysed at the first (f1) and third (f3) harmonics of the stimulus frequency. Results: Data from 31 subjects were eligible for analysis. The motion VERP responses for the f1 and f3 components were stronger in the area near the posterior midline region in the intervention group compared to the controls in the group analyses (p = 0.02 and p = 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The results showed a more consistent response to global motion among infants receiving enhanced nutrition. The intervention may have improved visual perception of global motion.