Preterm Infants on Early Solid Foods and Iron Status in the First Year of Life—A Secondary Outcome Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction of solid foods and iron status in the first year of life of preterm infants are highly discussed topics. The aim of this study was to examine whether two timepoints of introduction of standardized solid foods in preterm infants have an impact on ferritin and other hematologic parameters important for iron status in the first year of life. This is a secondary outcome analysis of a prospective, randomized intervention trial in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants randomized to an early (10–12th week corrected age) or a late (16–18th week corrected age) complementary feeding group. Iron status was assessed with blood samples taken at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months corrected age. In total, 177 infants were randomized (early group: n = 89, late group: n = 88). Ferritin showed no differences between study groups throughout the first year of life, as did all other parameters associated with iron status. At 12 months corrected age, the incidence of iron deficiency was significantly higher in the early feeding group. There is room for improvement of iron status in VLBW preterm infants, regular blood checks should be introduced, and current recommendations may need to be a reconsidered.     

The Impact of Restricted versus Liberal Early Fluid Volumes on Plasma Sodium,Weight Change,and Short-Term Outcomes in Extremely Preterm Infants

The optimal fluid requirements for extremely preterm infants are not fully known. We examined retrospectively the fluid intakes during the first week of life in two cohorts of extremely preterm infants born at 22–26 weeks of gestation before (n = 63) and after a change from a restrictive to a more liberal (n = 112) fluid volume allowance to improve nutrient provision. The cohorts were similar in gestational age and birth weight, but antenatal steroid exposure was more frequent in the second era. Although fluid management resulted in a cumulative difference in the total fluid intake over the first week of 87 mL/kg (p < 0.001), this was not reflected in a mean weight loss (14 ± 5% at a postnatal age of 4 days in both groups) or mean peak plasma sodium (142 ± 5 and 143 ± 5 mmol/L in the restrictive and liberal groups, respectively). The incidences of hypernatremia (>145 and >150 mmol/L), PDA ligation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and IVH were also similar. We conclude that in this cohort of extremely preterm infants a more liberal vs. a restricted fluid allowance during the first week had no clinically important influence on early changes in body weight, sodium homeostasis, or hospital morbidities.     

晚期早产儿和足月儿早期运动发育对照研究

目的研究晚期早产儿(在校正月龄后)和同龄足月儿早期运动发育水平的差异,为早期实施针对性的运动干预方案提供依据。方法选取2013年6月-2014年5月在本院出生并在门诊随访的晚期早产儿46例作为观察组,随机选择同时期在本院出生的健康足月儿50例为对照组。在两组婴儿(14.0±1.0)周龄运用Alberta婴儿运动量表(Alberta Infant Motor Scale,AIMS)进行运动发育评估,比较两组原始得分、百分位≥50%的比例和运动发育异常率。结果晚期早产儿AIMS原始得分低于足月儿组,但两组差异无统计学意义(P0.05);两组AIMS得分相对应的百分位≥50%的比例,晚期早产儿显著低于足月儿(P0.01)。晚期早产儿和足月儿运动发育异常的比例两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论晚期早产儿的早期运动发育趋势在校正胎龄后还常落后于正常足月出生同龄婴儿,应尽早实施早期干预,促进早产儿的良好发育。     

Preterm Infants on Early Solid Foods and Vitamin D Status in the First Year of Life—A Secondary Outcome Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Preterm birth places infants at high risk for mineral and micronutrient deficiencies important for bone health. The aim of this study was to examine whether two timepoints for the introduction of solid foods in preterm infants have an impact on vitamin D status in the first year of life. This is a secondary outcome analysis of a prospective, randomized trial on very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, randomized to an early (10–12th week corrected age) or a late (16–18th week corrected age) complementary-feeding group. Vitamin D status was assessed by blood samples taken at 6 weeks, 6, and 12 months corrected age. In total, 177 infants were randomized (early group: n = 89, late group: n = 88). There was a tendency toward lower levels of serum 25-OH-vitamin D in the early group throughout the first year of life (p = not significant (n.s.)); no differences were detected in the other parameters. At 6 months corrected age, infants of the early group had a significantly higher incidence of vitamin D deficiency. The timepoint of the introduction of solid foods had no impact on the serum 25-OH-vitamin D levels and other parameters important for bone health but showed a tendency toward lower levels in the early-feeding group.     

Energy Expenditure,Protein Oxidation and Body Composition in a Cohort of Very Low Birth Weight Infants

The nutritional management of preterm infants is a critical point of care, especially because of the increased risk of developing extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR), which is associated with worsened health outcomes. Energy requirements in preterm infants are simply estimated, so the measurement of resting energy expenditure (REE) should be a key point in the nutritional evaluation of preterm infants. Although predictive formulae are available, it is well known that they are imprecise. The aim of our study was the evaluation of REE and protein oxidation (Ox) in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) and the association with the mode of feeding and with body composition at term corrected age. Methods: Indirect calorimetry and body composition were performed at term corrected age in stable very low birth weight infants. Urinary nitrogen was measured in spot urine samples to calculate Ox. Infants were categorized as prevalent human milk (HMF) or prevalent formula diet (PFF). Results: Fifty VLBWI (HMF: 23, PFF: 27) were evaluated at 36.48 ± 0.85 post-conceptional weeks. No significant differences were found in basic characteristics or nutritional intake in the groups at birth and at the assessment. No differences were found in the REE of HMF vs. PFF (59.69 ± 9.8 kcal/kg/day vs. 59.27 ± 13.15 kcal/kg/day, respectively). We found statistical differences in the protein-Ox of HMF vs. PFF (1.7 ± 0.92 g/kg/day vs. 2.8 ± 1.65 g/kg/day, respectively, p < 0.01), and HMF infants had a higher fat-free mass (kg) than PFF infants (2.05 ± 0.26 kg vs. 1.82 ± 0.35 kg, respectively, p < 0.01), measured with air displacement plethysmography. Conclusion: REE is similar in infants with a prevalent human milk diet and in infants fed with formula. The HMF infants showed a lower oxidation rate of proteins for energy purposes and a better quality of growth. A greater amount of protein in HMF is probably used for anabolism and fat-free mass deposition. Further studies are needed to confirm our hypothesis.     

Breast Milk for Term and Preterm Infants—Own Mother’s Milk or Donor Milk?

Hormones are important biological regulators, controlling development and physiological processes throughout life. We investigated pituitary hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL) and total protein levels during the first 6 months of lactation. Breast milk samples were collected every fourth week of lactation from mothers who gave birth to preterm (n = 14) or term (n = 16) infants. Donor milk is suggested when own mother’s milk is not available; therefore, we collected breast milk samples before and after Holder pasteurization (HoP) from the Breast Milk Collection Center of Pécs, Hungary. Three infant formulas prepared in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the University of Pécs were tested at three different time points. Our aim was to examine the hormone content of own mother’s milk and donor milk. There were no significant changes over time in the concentrations of any hormone. Preterm milk had higher PRL (28.2 ± 2.5 vs. 19.3 ± 2.3 ng/mL) and LH (36.3 ± 8.8 vs. 15.9 ± 4.1 mIU/L) concentrations than term milk during the first 6 months of lactation. Total protein and FSH concentrations did not differ between preterm and term breast milk. Holder pasteurization decreased the PRL concentration (30.4 ± 1.8 vs. 14.4 ± 0.6 ng/mL) and did not affect gonadotropin levels of donor milk. Infant formulas have higher total protein content than breast milk but do not contain detectable levels of pituitary hormones. Differences were detected in the content of pituitary hormones produced for preterm and term infants. Divergence between feeding options offers opportunities for improvement of nutritional guidelines for both hospital and home feeding practices.     

不同出生胎龄婴幼儿期神经行为发育水平研究

目的 探讨不同出生胎龄婴幼儿神经行为发育水平差异。方法 采用随机抽样的方法抽取2019年1月1日至2020年6月30日在西北妇女儿童医院出生的新生儿作为研究对象,按照出生胎龄分为早产儿组（胎龄28～36周）、早期儿组（胎龄37～38周）、足月儿组（胎龄≥39周）。早产儿与早期儿于纠正胎龄40周、足月儿于生后24 h进行新生儿神经行为评分（NBNA）;分别在早产儿、早期儿、足月儿生后6个月、12个月、24个月时随访,采用北京首都儿童研究所《0～6岁儿童神经心理发育量表》评估其进行神经心理发育水平。结果 本次研究共纳入986名新生儿,早产儿组122例,其中男54例,女68例,平均胎龄（32.42±1.54）周;早期儿组275例,其中男122例,女153例,平均胎龄（37.54±1.21）周;足月儿组589人,其中男245人,女344人,平均胎龄（39.89±0.52）周。6月龄时,早产儿组、早期儿组总发育商以及大运动、精细运动、认知、语言、社会交往5方面评分均显著低于足月儿组（均P<0.01）。12月龄时、24月龄时,早产儿组总发育商以及大运动、精细运动、认知、语言、社会交往5方面评...     

1 042名儿童2岁时神经心理发育状况的随访研究

目的 分析儿童2岁时神经心理发育状况,为促进儿童早期发育提供依据。方法 选取2017年1月-2020年5月在广州市妇女儿童医疗中心儿童早期发展门诊定期随访的1 042名儿童作为研究对象,根据其出生胎龄分为4组,即早期早产儿(28~33⁺⁶周)组、晚期早产儿(34~36⁺⁶周)组、早期足月儿(37~38⁺⁶周)组和完全足月儿(39~41⁺⁶周)组,并在其校正年龄2岁时采用Gesell发育量表进行神经心理发育评估。结果 4组儿童Gesell发育量表5个能区发育商(DQ)比较,适应性、大运动和精细运动差异均有统计学意义(F=3.152、2.821、5.256,P＜0.05);组间两两比较,早期早产儿适应性、大运动、精细运动均落后于早期足月儿和完全足月儿,晚期早产儿精细运动落后于完全足月儿,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。4组儿童大运动和精细运动发育异常率比较,差异有统计学意义(χ²=12.440、27.128,P＜0.05),且表现为完全足月儿＜早期足月儿＜晚期早产儿＜早期早产儿。与完全足月儿相比,晚期早产儿2岁时精细运动发育落后的风险增加(OR=1.809,95%CI:1.102~2.970,P＜0.05)。结论 早期早产儿和晚期早产儿在2岁时均存在不同程度的神经心理发育落后,需延长随访并加强干预。     

不同胎龄婴幼儿智能发育状况的追踪研究

目的 通过追踪记录不同胎龄(26⁺¹~42⁺⁶周)婴幼儿的智能发育指标并进行比较分析,发现不同胎龄婴幼儿的智能发育规律。方法 选取2012-2014年间于佛山市妇幼保健院儿童保健科随访至2岁或以上的婴幼儿3 438例,根据胎龄把随访婴幼儿分为5组,使用《0~6岁儿童神经心理发育量表》对各组婴幼儿分别进行3、6、9、12、18、24月龄的神经心理发育测试,计算各组的发育商均值并比较分析。结果 极早产儿组的发育商于随访期间低于其他组别婴幼儿(P<0.05)。晚期早产儿组的发育商于18月龄及以后与各胎龄足月儿、过期产儿组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。各胎龄足月儿、过期产儿组于6月龄及以后发育商比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 极早产儿仍为智能发育障碍的主要人群,需积极采取相关手段提高其生命质量。     

早产儿矫正24月龄内体格发育及神经心理发育随访分析

目的 比较不同出生胎龄的早产儿矫正24月龄内体格发育及神经发育情况,为进一步做好早产儿保健提供理论依据。方法 回顾性分析2017年1月—2020年8月在深圳市妇幼保健院高危儿门诊随访胎龄为23～36⁺⁶周的4 077例早产儿的体格及神经心理发育情况。其中男2 283例,女1 794例;根据胎龄分为超早产儿(<28周)、早期早产儿(28～31⁺⁶周)、中期早产儿(32～33⁺⁶周)和晚期早产儿(34～36⁺⁶周)。体格发育采用Z值法,神经心理发育采用贝利Ⅱ量表评估。统计分析各组年龄别体重Z值(WAZ)、年龄别身长Z值(LAZ)、年龄别头围Z值(HCZ)、智能发育指数(MDI)和运动发育指数(PDI),并绘制各矫正月龄体格及神经心理发育指标变化趋势。结果 1)各胎龄组各矫正月龄相应体格发育指标(包括WAZ、LAZ、HCZ)比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),超早产儿组在各矫正月龄的各体格发育指标均小于其余胎龄组(P<0.05),其他三组在矫正1、3、6及12月龄内的各体格发育指标...     

Vitamin D Intake and Status in 12-Month-Old Infants at 63–66° N

The objective was to assess the vitamin D status in healthy 12-month-old infants in relation to quantity and sources of dietary vitamin D, breastfeeding and seasons. Subjects were 76 12-month-old infants. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) ≥ 50 nmol/L were considered indicative of vitamin D sufficiency and 25(OH)D < 27.5 nmol/L as being indicative of increased risk for rickets. Additionally, 25(OH)D > 125 nmol/L was considered possibly adversely high. Total vitamin D at 9–12 months (eight data collection days) included intake from diet and supplements. The mean ± SD of vitamin D intake was 8.8 ± 5.2 μg/day and serum 25(OH)D 98.1 ± 32.2 nmol/L (range 39.3–165.5). Ninety-two percent of infants were vitamin D sufficient and none at increased risk for rickets. The 26% infants using fortified products and supplements never/irregularly or in small amounts had lower 25(OH)D (76.8 ± 27.1 nmol/L) than the 22% using fortified products (100.0 ± 31.4 nmol/L), 18% using supplements (104.6 ± 37.0 nmol/L) and 33% using both (110.3 ± 26.6 nmol/L). Five of six infants with 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L had no intake of supplements or fortified products from 0 to 12 months. Supplement use increased the odds of 25(OH)D > 125 nmol/L. Breastfeeding and season did not affect vitamin D status. The majority of infants were vitamin D sufficient. Our findings highlight the need for vitamin D supplements or fortified products all year round, regardless of breastfeeding.     

Serum Phosphorus Levels in Premature Infants Receiving a Donor Human Milk Derived Fortifier

An elevated serum phosphorus (P) has been anecdotally described in premature infants receiving human milk fortified with donor human milk-derived fortifier (HMDF). No studies have prospectively investigated serum P in premature infants receiving this fortification strategy. In this single center prospective observational cohort study, extremely premature infants ≤1250 grams (g) birth weight (BW) were fed an exclusive human milk-based diet receiving HMDF and serum P levels were obtained. We evaluated 93 infants with a mean gestational age of 27.5 ± 2.0 weeks (Mean ± SD) and BW of 904 ± 178 g. Seventeen infants (18.3%) had at least one high serum P level with a mean serum P of 9.2 ± 1.1 mg/dL occurring at 19 ± 11 days of life. For all infants, the highest serum P was inversely correlated to the day of life of the infant (p < 0.001, R² = 0.175) and positively correlated with energy density of HMDF (p = 0.035). Serum P was not significantly related to gender, BW, gestational age, or days to full feeds. We conclude that the incidence of hyperphosphatemia was mild and transient in this population. The risk decreased with infant age and was unrelated to gender, BW, or ethnicity.     

婴儿运动表现测试在早产儿运动评估中的应用

目的 应用婴儿运动表现测试(TIMP)分析早产儿运动发育特点,并与同胎龄足月儿进行比较,为TIMP的临床应用提供参考。方法 收集2018年7月-2019年6月在陆军军医大学第二附属医院早产儿门诊和儿童保健门诊就诊的617名婴儿的一般资料和TIMP测试结果,按照矫正年龄分为40~41⁺⁶周(62例)、44~45⁺⁶周(285例)、48~49⁺⁶周(155例)及52~53⁺⁶周(115例)4组,进行回顾性分析比较。结果 随着周龄增大,早产儿TIMP总分从矫正胎龄40~41⁺⁶组的49.46±7.91逐渐增加至矫正胎龄52~53⁺⁶组的78.09±12.09,呈逐渐增加的趋势(F=67.853,P＜0.001);观察项目和诱发项目得分亦呈逐渐增加趋势,差异具有统计学意义(F=12.811,65.360,P＜0.001)。矫正年龄48~49⁺⁶周、52~53⁺⁶周组早产儿诱发项目得分和总分较同组足月儿高,差异具有统计学意义(t=2.487,2.238,1.906,2.008,P＜0.05)。结论 中文版TIMP能够反映不同周龄组早产儿运动能力变化,适用于早产儿运动评估。早产儿运动发育与足月儿存在差异,所以在对早产儿运动能力评价和早期干预方案的制定上需要考虑到这种特殊性并选用合适的评估工具及方法。     

Early Nutrition during Hospitalization in Relation to Bone Health in Preterm Infants at Term Age and Six Months Corrected Age

Aim: to evaluate the potential association of macronutrient intake in the first postnatal weeks on bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in extremely and very preterm infants. Methods: fifty-eight extremely and very preterm infants were included. Daily macronutrient intake was calculated in g kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ from birth up to 36 weeks postmenstrual age. A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry whole body scan was used to assess BMC and BMD in preterm infants at term corrected age (TCA) and six months corrected age (CA). Results: fat intake (g kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) in the first four postnatal weeks was positively associated with BMC and BMD at TCA. At six months CA, protein and fat intake (g kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) in the first weeks of life were both individual predictors for BMD. Fat intake (g kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) in the first four postnatal weeks was significantly associated with BMC at six months CA. Conclusion: the association of macronutrient intake in the first postnatal weeks on BMC or BMD, at TCA and six months CA, suggest that early nutritional intervention immediately after birth and during early infancy is important for bone health in the first months of life.     

Premature Birth is an Independent Risk Factor for Early Adiposity Rebound: Longitudinal Analysis of BMI Data from Birth to 7 Years

Adiposity rebound (AR) refers to the second rise of the body mass index (BMI) curve that usually occurs physiologically between five and seven years of age. AR timing has a great impact on patients’ health, since early adiposity rebound (EAR) is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome later in life. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of EAR in a cohort of inborn preterm infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Section of the Policlinico University Hospital of Bari, Italy. Secondarily, we assessed whether some determinants such as (1) gender; (2) delivery mode; (3) birth weight and classification into small, normal, or large for gestational age; (4) type of feeding; (5) breastfeeding duration; (6) timing of introduction of solid food; (7) parental education; and (8) parental pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) influenced EAR in this cohort. The tertiary aim was to evaluate the prevalence of obesity or being overweight at seven years of age in children according to early versus timely AR. This is a prospective, population-based longitudinal study conducted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Section of the Policlinico University Hospital of Bari, Italy. Inborn preterm infants admitted to the neonatal ward between 2009 and 2011 were eligible. Enrolled preterm infants were evaluated at birth and at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months and 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 years of age. Weight and height data were analyzed, and BMI was calculated. AR was assessed in the growth trajectory in a body mass index (BMI) plot. Of the 250 preterm newborns included, 100 completed the seven-year follow-up and entered the final analysis, 138 were lost during the seven-year follow-up, and in 12 cases parents withdrew over the course of the study. The prevalence of EAR in our cohort of preterm newborns was 54% at seven years of age. Early adiposity rebound was associated with being large for gestational age (LGA) at birth. No other factors were associated with EAR. Early adiposity rebounders had a significantly higher BMI at seven years compared to children with timely AR (17.2 ± 2.7 vs. 15.6 ± 2.05, p = 0.021). No significant differences were found in the prevalence of obesity or being overweight at seven years of age in children with early or timely AR (29% vs. 14%, p = 0.202). Ex-preterm infants have an increased risk of EAR. Since EAR may lead to long-term detrimental health effects with the onset of various chronic diseases (e.g., obesity, metabolic syndrome, etc.), healthcare providers should be prepared to counteract its occurrence, especially in delicate sub-populations of infants.     

National Growth Charts for the United Arab Emirates

Background

Information on the health and growth status of the population is essential for planning and administering health promotion programs.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study of the anthropometric measurements of United Arab Emirates (UAE) children aged 0-18 years, by a multistage stratified random sampling technique based on age and sex. Healthy, full-term children of UAE nationality who did not have any diseases that could affect their growth pattern were included in the study. Children were selected using multistage sampling, using sampling proportional to size methods in 9 geographical areas. Growth charts for various anthropometric measures were created using Cole’s LMS statistical package. This package estimates age-specific percentiles with the use of smoothing splines after transformation to normality.

Results

A total of 21,068 children (12,159 females) between the ages of 0 and 18 years were studied. In the present study, we included 8-15% of the population aged 0-18 years. The growth chart for 0-36 months is very similar to the NCHS growth reference chart in terms of both weight for age and length and height for age. The mean (+SD) length/height in children was 49.9 ± 3.2 cm at birth, 75.9 ± 5.7 cm at 12 months, 86.4 ± 4.5 cm at 24 months, 95.1 ± 5.9 cm at 36 months, and 111.1 ± 6.4 cm at 60 months. The height of UAE children in the first 3 years of life, especially at the ages of 2 and 3 years, mirrored those achieved by Brazilian children in the WHO study.

Conclusion

The results of the present study are useful for growth assessment of UAE children.Key words: growth charts, UAE, height, weight, head circumference     

Changes in Sleep Patterns during Pregnancy and Predictive Factors: A Longitudinal Study in Saudi Women

This study aimed to assess sleep patterns during the three trimesters of pregnancy and whether vitamin D concentrations, along with other risk factors, are associated with these alterations. In a longitudinal study, 140 pregnant women (age 18 to 39 years) were followed throughout their first, second, and third trimesters. Sleep was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at each trimester, along with an assessment of biochemical parameters, including serum vitamin D levels. The information that was collected included anthropometric data, socio-economic status, dietary intake, and physical activity. The PSQI was higher in mid and late pregnancy than in early pregnancy (both p = 0.001), and the sleep duration was also higher in late versus early pregnancy. Linear regression analyses revealed independent predictors of deteriorating sleep quality from early to late pregnancy, including low income (B ± SE −0.60 ± 0.26, p = 0.03) and low serum vitamin D levels in the second trimester (B ± SE −0.20 ± 0.01, p = 0.04). Energy intake and sitting in the second half of pregnancy were positively associated with changes in the PSQI score from the second to third trimesters (B ± SE 0.15 ± 0.07, p = 0.048) and (B ± SE 0.01 ± 0.00, p = 0.044), respectively. Low socio-economic status, low serum vitamin D levels, greater energy intake, and sitting time were associated with worsening patterns of sleep quality from early to late pregnancy.     

Vitamin D Status and Factors Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency during the First Year of Life in Preterm Infants

We aimed to investigate the changes in vitamin D levels and factors associated with vitamin D deficiency (VDD) during the first year of life in Korean preterm infants. We enrolled 333 preterm infants who were born at Kyungpook National University Children’s Hospital between March 2013 and December 2019. 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels and medical records were collected at birth, 6 months, and 12 months of age. The mean gestational age was 33.4 ± 2.3 weeks and mean 25-OHD levels at birth were 18.2 ± 13.5 ng/mL. The incidence of VDD was 82.8%, 30.6%, and 27.0% at birth, 6 months, and 12 months, respectively. The incidence of severe VDD (25-OHD < 10 ng/mL) was 31.5%, 1.5%, and 0%, at birth, 6 months, and 12 months, respectively. Among infants with severe VDD, the deficiency persisted in 49.6% at 6 months, and 35.3% at 12 months. The strongest predictor of VDD during follow-up was 25-OHD concentration at birth. Vitamin D supplementation at 400 IU/day did not affect vitamin D levels during the first year of life. Therefore, it is important to prevent neonatal VDD through maternal vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy. Further research is needed to determine the optimal vitamin D supplementation dose for Korean preterm infants.     

Nutritional Intake,White Matter Integrity,and Neurodevelopment in Extremely Preterm Born Infants

Background: Determining optimal nutritional regimens in extremely preterm infants remains challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a new nutritional regimen and individual macronutrient intake on white matter integrity and neurodevelopmental outcome. Methods: Two retrospective cohorts of extremely preterm infants (gestational age < 28 weeks) were included. Cohort B (n = 79) received a new nutritional regimen, with more rapidly increased, higher protein intake compared to cohort A (n = 99). Individual protein, lipid, and caloric intakes were calculated for the first 28 postnatal days. Diffusion tensor imaging was performed at term-equivalent age, and cognitive and motor development were evaluated at 2 years corrected age (CA) (Bayley-III-NL) and 5.9 years chronological age (WPPSI-III-NL, MABC-2-NL). Results: Compared to cohort A, infants in cohort B had significantly higher protein intake (3.4 g/kg/day vs. 2.7 g/kg/day) and higher fractional anisotropy (FA) in several white matter tracts but lower motor scores at 2 years CA (mean (SD) 103 (12) vs. 109 (12)). Higher protein intake was associated with higher FA and lower motor scores at 2 years CA (B = −6.7, p = 0.001). However, motor scores at 2 years CA were still within the normal range and differences were not sustained at 5.9 years. There were no significant associations with lipid or caloric intake. Conclusion: In extremely preterm born infants, postnatal protein intake seems important for white matter development but does not necessarily improve long-term cognitive and motor development.     

早期综合干预对早产儿智能发育的影响

目的 探讨早期综合干预对早产儿校正胎龄12月时智能发育的影响。方法 将2012年度在深圳市龙岗区妇幼保健院出生的早产儿108例, 分为早期干预组 (A组)57例和内对照组(B组)51 例, 并随机选择在该院同期出生的足月儿49例为外对照组(C组)。A组给予早期综合干预指导与训练, B、C组只接受常规育儿指导, 在校正胎龄12月时做CDCC测查, 比较三组婴儿测查结果。结果 校正胎龄12月时A组婴儿智力发育指数(MDI)(109.40±8.66)显著高于B组婴儿(101.35±14.67)(t=3.516, P=0.001);A组婴儿运动发育指数(PDI)(98.89±10.84)显著高于B组婴儿(93.69±15.82)(t=2.013, P=0.047);A组MDI与C组MDI比较差异无统计学意义(t=1.841, P=0.068), A组PDI显著高于C组(t=4.535, P＜0.001);A组婴儿MDI≤69分和PDI≤69分的发生率均为0%, 均低于B组婴儿(7.84%), 差异均有统计学意义(χ²=4.643, P=0.047)。结论 1岁以内对早产儿实施早期综合干预可促进早产儿1岁时智能发育, 减少智力低下和运动低下的发生率。