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Preterm infants have increased body adiposity at term-equivalent age and risk of adverse metabolic outcomes. The aim of the study was to define how nutrient intake may impact body composition (BC) of very low-birth weight infants fed with early progressive enteral feeding and standard fortification. Eighty-six infants with <1500 g birth weight were included in the BC study and stratified into extremely preterm (EP) and very preterm (VP) groups. Nutrient intake was calculated during the first 28 days and BC assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry at discharge and by skinfold thickness at 12 months of corrected age (CA). Total nutrient intake did not differ between the groups. EP infants had a higher fat mass percentage at discharge than VP infants (24.8% vs. 19.4%, p < 0.001); lean mass did not differ. None of the nutrients had any impact on BC of EP infants. Protein intake did not result in a higher lean mass in either group; fat intake was a significant predictor of increased fat mass percentage in VP infants at discharge ( p = 0.007) and body adiposity at 12 months of CA ( p = 0.021). Nutritional needs may depend on gestational age and routine fortification should be used with caution in more mature infants.

Optimal nutrient intake ensuring better neurodevelopment for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants remains unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between early (first 28 days) nutritional intake, first year growth, and neurodevelopment. In total, 120 VLBW infants were included into the study. A group of 95 infants completed follow-up to 12 months of corrected gestational age (CGA). Nutrient intake was assessed, and weight, length, and head circumference (HC) were measured weekly until discharge and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of CGA. Neurodevelopment was assessed at 12 months of CGA. Two groups-extremely preterm (EP) and very/moderately preterm (VP)-were compared. Growth before discharge was slower in the EP group than the VP group. At 12 months, there was no difference in anthropometric characteristics or neurodevelopmental scores between the groups. Higher carbohydrate intake during the first 28 days was the single significant predictor for better cognitive scores only in the EP group (β s = 0.60, p = 0.017). Other nutrients and growth before discharge were not significant for cognitive and motor scores in either group in multivariable models, whereas post-discharge HC growth was associated with both cognitive and motor scores in the VP group. Monitoring intake of all nutrients and both pre-discharge and post-discharge growth is essential for gaining knowledge about individualized nutrition for optimal neurodevelopment.

We appreciate Dr. Shabih Manzar's interest [...].

Early nutrition is one of the most modifiable factors influencing postnatal growth. Optimal nutrient intakes for very preterm infants remain unknown, and poor postnatal growth is common in this population. The aim of this study was to assess nutrient intake during the first 4 weeks of life with early progressive enteral feeding and its impact on the in-hospital growth of very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. In total, 120 infants with birth weights below 1500 g and gestational ages below 35 weeks were included in the study. Nutrient intakes were assessed daily for the first 28 days. Growth was measured weekly until discharge. Median time of parenteral nutrition support was 6 days. Target enteral nutrient and energy intake were reached at day 10 of life, and remained stable until day 28, with slowly declining protein intake. Median z-scores at discharge were -0.73, -0.49, and -0.31 for weight, length, and head circumference, respectively. Extrauterine growth restriction was observed in 30.3% of the whole cohort. Protein, carbohydrates, and energy intakes correlated positively with weight gain and head circumference growth. Early progressive enteral feeding with human milk is well tolerated in VLBW infants. Target enteral nutrient intake may be reached early and improve in-hospital growth.