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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.

To investigate the behavior of weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) and associated factors in preterm newborns (PTNB) with very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW), comparing them to low birth weight (LBW) during four weeks (wk.) of hospitalization in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Longitudinal study conducted using data from PTNB records in the southern Brazil NICU, between January 2017 and December 2020. Non-twin PTNB with gestational age of ≥ 24 and < 37 wk. and a birth weight (BW) ≥ 500 g were included. The outcome was WAZ, and the exposure was the PTNB’s BW, categorized as VLBW/ELBW (< 1500 g) and LBW (≥ 1500 g up to 2500 g). Energy (kcal/kg/day) and protein (g/kg/day) intakes were also evaluated. Two-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression were used to assess the association between demographic, clinical, and nutritional factors and the WAZ. The majority of PTNB were male (60 %) and had a birth weight ≥1500 g (65 %). A significant interaction was between the BW category and the length of hospitalization on WAZ (F = 4.0; p = 0.003). In the VLBW and ELBW, the WAZ was significantly lower in the first wk. compared to the LBW [−1.05 (−1.34;−0.75) vs −0.34 (−0.49;−0.18)]. Factors such as male sex, sepsis, initiation of enteral nutrition (EN), and protein intake were associated with WAZ behavior. The downward trend of the WAZ curve was associated with the interaction between birth weight and length of hospitalization, especially in PTNB with VLBW and ELBW. The study concluded that male sex and sepsis contributed to the observed decline.

In this open, randomized, multicenter trial involving extremely-low-birth-weight preterm infants, the use of a higher hemoglobin threshold for red-cell transfusion did not improve survival without neurodevelopmental impairment at 22 to 26 months of age, corrected for prematurity.

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.

Objectives Neonicotinoid insecticides are widely used systemic pesticides with nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist activity that are a concern as environmental pollutants. Neonicotinoids in humans and the environment have been widely reported, but few studies have examined their presence in fetuses and newborns. The objective of this study is to determine exposure to neonicotinoids and metabolites in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Methods An analytical method for seven neonicotinoids and one neonicotinoid metabolite, N-desmethylacetamiprid (DMAP), in human urine using LC-ESI/MS/MS was developed. This method was used for analysis of 57 urine samples collected within 48 hours after birth from VLBW infants of gestational age 23–34 weeks (male/female = 36/21, small for gestational age (SGA)/appropriate gestational age (AGA) = 6/51) who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Dokkyo Hospital from January 2009 to December 2010. Sixty-five samples collected on postnatal day 14 (M/F = 37/22, SGA/AGA = 7/52) were also analyzed. Results DMAP, a metabolite of acetamiprid, was detected in 14 urine samples collected at birth (24.6%, median level 0.048 ppb) and in 7 samples collected on postnatal day 14 (11.9%, median level 0.09 ppb). The urinary DMAP detection rate and level were higher in SGA than in AGA infants (both p<0.05). There were no correlations between the DMAP level and infant physique indexes (length, height, and head circumference SD scores). Conclusion These results provide the first evidence worldwide of neonicotinoid exposure in newborn babies in the early phase after birth. The findings suggest a need to examine potential neurodevelopmental toxicity of neonicotinoids and metabolites in human fetuses

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.

AbstractObjectiveTo assess whether exposure to high temperatures in pregnancy is associated with increased risk for preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth.DesignSystematic review and random effects meta-analysis.Data sourcesMedline and Web of Science searched up to September 2018, updated in August 2019.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesClinical studies on associations between high environmental temperatures, and preterm birth, birth weight, and stillbirths.Results14 880 records and 175 full text articles were screened. 70 studies were included, set in 27 countries, seven of which were countries with low or middle income. In 40 of 47 studies, preterm births were more common at higher than lower temperatures. Exposures were classified as heatwaves, 1°C increments, and temperature threshold cutoff points. In random effects meta-analysis, odds of a preterm birth rose 1.05-fold (95% confidence interval 1.03 to 1.07) per 1°C increase in temperature and 1.16-fold (1.10 to 1.23) during heatwaves. Higher temperature was associated with reduced birth weight in 18 of 28 studies, with considerable statistical heterogeneity. Eight studies on stillbirths all showed associations between temperature and stillbirth, with stillbirths increasing 1.05-fold (1.01 to 1.08) per 1°C rise in temperature. Associations between temperature and outcomes were largest among women in lower socioeconomic groups and at age extremes. The multiple temperature metrics and lag analyses limited comparison between studies and settings.ConclusionsAlthough summary effect sizes are relatively small, heat exposures are common and the outcomes are important determinants of population health. Linkages between socioeconomic status and study outcomes suggest that risks might be largest in low and middle income countries. Temperature rises with global warming could have major implications for child health.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD 42019140136 and CRD 42018118113.

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.