Haematological effect of iron supplementation in breast fed term low birth weight infants.

AIMS: To determine the haematological effects of iron supplementation in predominantly breast fed term low birth weight (LBW) infants. METHODS: Seventy three healthy term LBW (<2500 g), predominantly breast fed infants aged 50-80 days were randomised into two groups to receive either iron (3 mg/kg/day) (iron supplemented (IS) group; n = 37) or placebo drops (placebo (P) group; n = 36). Haematological parameters and anthropometry were measured at baseline and repeated after four and eight weeks. RESULTS: A total of 62 subjects (32 in the IS group and 30 in the P group) came for the first follow up and 26 (13 in the IS group and 13 in the P group) reported for the second visit. There were no significant differences in serum ferritin and anthropometry. However, covariates (infant age, haemoglobin, and ferritin, and maternal haemoglobin) adjusted haemoglobin change was significantly higher in the IS group after four weeks (4.6 g/l; 95% CI 0.5 to 8.8) and eight weeks (8.6 g/l; 95% CI 1.8 to 15.4). CONCLUSIONS: Iron supplementation in a therapeutic dose in term breast fed LBW infants results in a marginal increase in haemoglobin. The functional benefit of this haemoglobin rise requires further evaluation.     

Medicinal iron to low birth weight infants

Serum ferritin concentrations were measured during the first 6 months of life in 28 low birth weight infants (mean birth weight 1820 g range 900-2460; mean gestational age 34 weeks range 29-37) fed a standard formula fortified with ferrous sulphate. Fifteen of the infants received supplementary medicinal iron (ferrous succinate) from 3 weeks of age, and 13 only from 2 months of age. All were given vitamin E from 10 days of age. The serum ferritin values did not differ between the groups at 1-2 days, 8-10 weeks or at 6 months. Furthermore, there were no signs of hyperhaemolysis at 8-10 weeks in the group receiving medicinal iron early. The data indicate that the iron content in the formula is sufficient until 2 months of age, but also that thereis no disadvantage in starting medicinal iron at 3 weeks of age, if the diet is sufficient in vitamin E.     

Folic acid supplementation in low birth weight infants.

Low birth weight infants (246) entered a trial to folic acid supplementation from 3 weeks to 12 months of age. The folic acid group had significantly higher mean hemoglobin levels at 6 and 9 months of age but the differences were only about 0.5 gm/dl, there was no significant difference in hematocrit, and in both groups of infants the mean hemoglobin levels were higher than those of normal birth weight infants. The differences in hemoglobin, although statistically significant, are of uncertain clinical significance. Median red cell folate levels remained within the normal adult range in both groups of infants. A minority of infants in the untreated group had low red cell folate levels but this was usually temporary, corrected by dietary folate, and not associated with low hemoglobin. Weight gain was not affected by folic acid supplementation. The infants in this trial were fed with a milk preparation containing 3.5 microgram/100 ml of folic acid which is a similar concentration to that of human milk and we recommend that the folate content of milks fed to low birth weight infants should not fall below this level. We do not have sufficient grounds to recommend routine folic acid supplements for all low birth weight infants throughout the first year of life but there is a possibility that their folate intake may sometimes be suboptimal.     

Early iron supplementation in very low birth weight infants – a randomized controlled trial

Aim: To evaluate if supplementing iron at 2 weeks of age improves serum ferritin and/or haematological parameters at 2 months of life in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.
Methods: Preterm VLBW infants who received at least 100 mL/kg/day of oral feeds by day 14 of life were randomized to either 'early iron' (3–4 mg/kg/day orally from 2 weeks) or 'control' (no iron until 60 days) groups. Infants were followed up fortnightly and all morbidities were prospectively recorded. Serum ferritin was measured at 60 days by enzyme immunoassay method.
Results: Forty-six infants were included in the study; primary outcome was available for 42 infants. There was no difference in either serum ferritin (mean: 50.8 vs. 45.3 μg/L; adjusted difference in means: 5.8, 95% CI: −3.0, 14.6; p = 0.19) or haematocrit (32.5 ± 5.3 vs. 30.8 ± 6.3%; p = 0.35) at 60 days between the early iron and control groups. The magnitude of fall in serum ferritin from baseline to the end of study period was also not different between the groups (4.9 vs. 13.8 μg/L; difference in means: 8.8; 95% CI: −0.3, 17.9; p = 0.06). The requirement of blood transfusions (9.5 vs. 13%; p = 0.63) and a composite outcome of common neonatal morbidities (19% vs. 21.7%; p = 0.55) were also not different between the two groups.
Conclusion: Supplementing iron at 2 weeks of age in preterm VLBW infants did not improve either serum ferritin or the haematological parameters at 2 months when compared to the standard practice of starting iron from 8 weeks of age.     

Enteral glutamine supplementation and morbidity in low birth weight infants

OBJECTIVE: To determine if glutamine-supplemented enteral nutrition decreased the incidence of nosocomial sepsis in neonates. METHODS: In a multicenter (n = 20) clinical trial, we randomly allocated infants (n = 649) with birth weight between 500 and 1250 g, who were <7 days of age, and had no major anomalies to receive enteral glutamine supplementation (0.3 g/kg/day) or sterile water (placebo) for the first 28 days. The primary outcome variable was the number of infants who had blood culture-proven nosocomial sepsis between 7 days' and 36 weeks' postmenstrual age. RESULTS: Infants were assigned to placebo (n = 335) or to glutamine supplementation (n = 314). Neonates assigned to glutamine were similar to those assigned placebo for demographic characteristics and nutritional support during the first week. There was no difference in the occurrence of culture-proven nosocomial sepsis (33.7% vs 30.9%) or suspected sepsis (51.6% vs 47.1%) between the placebo and glutamine groups; however, neonates treated with glutamine less often had gastrointestinal dysfunction (7.5% vs 2.5%, P <.01) and severe neurologic sequelae (15.1% vs 10.4%, P =.08). CONCLUSIONS: At a dose of 0.3 g/kg/day, enteral glutamine does not appear to reduce nosocomial sepsis in premature neonates.     

Gastric response in low birth weight infants fed various formulas.

Feeding techniques, delayed gastric emptying, volume overload, or reverse peristalsis may lead to regurgitation and aspiration in the premature infant. Noting these complications, various aspects of gastric function were studied in relation to the type of formula fed. 27 low birth weight infants (less than 2,000 g) were each fed one of three randomly assigned commercial formulas, which varied in osmolarity and MCT content. Gastric pH and emptying were monitored during the first 48 h of life. The fatty acid chain length of the triglyceride in the formula apparently did not influence either gastric pH or emptying. Infants fed formulas having a higher osmolar load (539 mosm/1) and containing protein hydrolysate showed greater gastric retention.     

A randomized trial of two levels of iron supplementation and developmental outcome in low birth weight infants

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of increased iron intakes on hematologic status and cognition in low birth weight infants. STUDY DESIGN: We randomly assigned 58 infants to receive formula with 13.4 mg iron/L (normal iron) or 20.7 mg iron/L (high iron). At baseline, discharge, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months' corrected age, we assessed anthropometry; infections; red blood cell hemoglobin, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, red blood cell fragility (hydrogen peroxide test), and superoxide dismutase values; plasma malondialdehyde, ferritin, iron, transferrin, zinc and copper levels; and diet intake. Griffiths' Development Assessment was done at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months only. RESULTS: No statistical differences (P <.05) were noted for weight, catalase or malondialdehyde levels, red blood cell fragility, or Griffith's Development Assessment. Iron intakes were greater in the high iron group except at 12 months. Hemoglobin (high iron, 123 +/- 9; normal iron, 118 +/- 8) was not different at 3 months (P =.07). Plasma zinc levels (high iron, 70 +/- 14; normal iron, 89 +/- 27) and copper levels (high iron, 115 +/- 26; normal iron, 132 +/- 27; P =.06) at 12 months suggested inhibition of absorption by high iron formula. Glutathione peroxidase levels were higher in the high iron group. The total number of respiratory tract infections was greater in the high iron group (3.3 +/- 0.9) than in the normal iron group (2.5 +/- 0.9). CONCLUSION: In terms of cognitive outcome, there is no advantage associated with elevated iron intake for low birth weight infants.     

Effect of zinc supplementation on growth in very low birth weight infants

This was a randomized blinded placebo controlled trial undertaken to study the role of zinc supplementation on growth, primarily the linear growth velocity in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants at 3 months corrected age (CA). Out of 134 neonates with birth weight <1500?g, 101 babies were eligible. Due to lack of consent 10 were excluded. The remaining 91 neonates who were comparable for sex, gestational age, birth weight, APGAR and age at enrollment were randomized to receive either 1?ml of zinc sulfate (10?mg elemental zinc) (n?=?46) or 1?ml placebo (n?=?45) from enrollment to 60 days. The infants in the zinc group had significantly higher linear growth velocity (0.98?±?0.12?cm?week(-1)) compared to a placebo group (0.67?±?0.15?cm?week(-1)) (p?相似文献   

极低及超低出生体重儿的预后因素分析

目的 分析极低及超低出生体重儿（出生体重≤ 1 200 g）的临床资料,为其预后及临床干预提供预警指标。方法 回顾性分析108 例极低及超低出生体重儿的母孕期病史、新生儿出生时情况、诊治经过及预后,采用非条件logistic 回归分析筛选预后的影响因素。结果 108 例极低及超低出生体重儿,出生体重范围在结论 极低及超低出生体重儿的病死率较高,且随着日龄的增加,影响早产儿生存的预后因素不同,临床上应针对这些因素制定合理的管理方案,提高早产儿生存率。     

Nitrogen and lipid balances in newborn infants with low birth weight fed lyophilized breast milk of various composition

Nitrogen and fat balance studies were performed in 6 low birth weight infants (average birth weight: 1465 +/- 128 g) who were alternatively fed 3 types of lyophilized human milk during the 5th through 14th week of life. Feeding group I received human milk (protein content 1.32%). Group II was administered concentrated human milk (protein content 1.69%). Group III received human milk fortified with whey from cow's milk (protein content 1.74%). Group II showed the best results with respect to weight gain, nitrogen balance and blood metabolites. The introduction of whey protein in Group III resulted in higher plasma levels of urea (p less than 0.05), threonine (p less than 0.05), valine (p less than 0.025), isoleucine (p less than 0.01), leucine (p less than 0.02) and lysine (p less than 0.001) compared with Group I infants. Accordingly, plasma levels of alpha-amino-nitrogen were elevated in Group III.     

静脉营养治疗低出生体重儿32例

随着围生医学的日益进展 ,低出生体重儿的存活率明显上升 ,其营养成为出生后面临的重要问题之一 ,新生儿营养的目的是保证其从生前到生后生长过程的顺利过渡[1],营养治疗是新生儿综合治疗的重要组成部分。本文总结 3 2例低出生体重儿静脉营养治疗情况 ,现报道如下。资料与方法一、一般资料　 3 2例低出生体重儿为我院新生儿病区2 0 0 1年 1月～ 2 0 0 3年 9月住院患儿 ,所有病例均符合低出生体重儿诊断标准[2 ]。其中男 19例 ,女 13例 ;出生体重 90 0～150 0g 3例 ,～ 2 50 0g 2 9例 ;足月儿 8例 ,胎龄 3 8.4±1.2周 ;早产儿 2 4例 ,胎龄 3 …     

Prevention of neonatal hypoglycaemia by oral lipid supplementation in low birth weight infants

The effect of oral lipid supplementation (2.9 g/day containing 67% medium chain triglycerides) on the prevention of neonatal hypoglycaemia was evaluated in 28 low birth weight infants (mean±1 SD for gestational age: 36±1.2 weeks and birth weight: 1778±230 g) and compared to a control group of 23 infants with similar gestational age, birth weight and sex. The incidence of hypoglycaemic patients with plasma glucose <1.72 mmol/l was 8/23 (35%) in the control group versus 2/28 (7%) in the supplemented group: ₂=6.72; P<0.01. Determinations of plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations in 11 infants of the supplemented group did not show values higher than 1.2 mmol/l. This prospective study shows that supplementation with lipids can prevent the occurrence of hypoglycaemia in low birth weight infants.Abbreviation FFA free fatty acids     

Superoxide dismutase in polymorphonuclear leukocytes of term newborn infants and very low birth weight infants

We investigated the activity and the content of copper and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and superoxide anion (O2-) production in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from healthy term newborn infants, very low birth wt infants, and healthy adults. SOD activity in PMN was measured with nitroblue tetrazolium reduction assay on PAGE, and the SOD content in PMN was determined with an ELISA using a monoclonal antibody against human copper and zinc-containing SOD. The activity and the content of SOD in the term neonatal PMN and VLBW-infants' PMN were significantly lower than those in the adults' PMN (term newborn infants, 6.6 +/- 0.6 U/mg protein and 170.4 +/- 16.3 ng/mg protein, n = 10; VLBW infants, 6.8 +/- 0.9 and 173.0 +/- 16.2, n = 6; adults, 10.3 +/- 0.6 and 241.9 +/- 13.3, n = 10; values were expressed as mean +/- SEM). Both the phorbol myristate acetate- and the N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-induced O2- production rates of VLBW-infants' PMN were significantly higher than those of the term neonatal PMN. The phorbol myristate acetate-induced O2- production rate of the term neonatal PMN was significantly lower than that of the adults' PMN. The phorbol myristate acetate-induced H2O2 production rate of the term neonatal PMN was significantly lower than that of the adults' PMN. The conversion rate from O2- to H2O2 of the neonatal PMN was similar to that of the adults' PMN.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Improved mineral balance in very low birth weight infants fed fortified human milk

Enhanced calcium and phosphorus retention was achieved in 16 very low birth weight infants (birth weight 1117 +/- 42 g, gestation 29 +/- 0.2 weeks) fed a preparation of fortified human milk augmented with calcium lactate and monobasic and dibasic phosphate salts. Measurements of growth and macronutrient utilization were similar to those obtained in a previous study of infants fed a preparation of fortified human milk that contained lower levels of calcium and phosphorus. However, unlike the relative hypophosphatemia, hypophosphaturia, and hypercalciuria noted in the infants in our earlier study, normal serum and urine phosphorus and urine calcium values were observed in this study. Postnatal calcium and phosphorus retentions correlated significantly with respective intakes, the absorption of fat, and the retention of nitrogen. The relationships among calcium and phosphorus intake and retention predict that 160 mg/kg/d and 94 mg/kg/d, respectively, must be fed to achieve retention equivalent to intrauterine estimates. Although postnatal retention of calcium and phosphorus may be increased to levels accumulated by the fetus, technical considerations for the preparation of a formula with sufficiently high levels of calcium and phosphorus must be resolved.     

Improved vitamin A supplementation regimen for breastfed very low birth weight infants

OBJECTIVE: Preterm infants usually have low retinol status at birth and at discharge from hospital. We have evaluated a new protocol designed to improve plasma retinol in very low birth weight infants (VLBW, birth weight < 1500 g). DESIGN: An open intervention trial was conducted in which vitamin A was given in a human milk fortifier. The daily dose of vitamin A varied according to bodyweight and was given mixed with human milk instead of as a bolus. Blood samples were collected at inclusion and at discharge from hospital. Plasma was analyzed for retinol using high-performance liquid chromatography. The daily intake of vitamin A and plasma retinol concentration was compared with the vitamin protocol normally used in Norwegian hospitals. RESULTS: Sixty VLBW infants were included and 53 completed the study. At discharge from hospital, the reference group had lower median plasma retinol concentrations compared to the modified group (0.30 microM vs. 0.49 microM, p = 0.008). Fewer infants in the modified group had plasma retinol levels below 0.35 microM (indicating reduced hepatic stores) compared to infants in the reference group (44% vs. 69%, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The modified protocol improved plasma retinol levels at discharge compared to the reference protocol.