Body Weight Gain Status during the Incubator Weaning Process in Very Low Birth Weight Premature Infants

Incubator care is essential for premature infants during early hospitalization. As the infants’ conditions improve, incubator weaning becomes necessary. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the effect of body weight gain and status of intake-calorie gain on the incubator weaning process for very low birth weight (VLBW) premature infants. The study included 127 VLBW premature neonates. We analyzed data on clinical characteristics potentially associated with the weaning period and the end-weaning body weight (EWBW), including body weight gain status, intake-calorie gain status, and disease conditions. The neonates were weaned from the incubators at a mean postmenstrual age (PMA) of 35.1 ± 1.3 weeks; postnatal days, 37.7 ± 18.2 days; and body weight, 1882.8 ± 157.1 g. The total weaning period was 3.5 ± 3.1 days. Regarding the weaning period, there was a strong positive relationship only in the end-weaning PMA and the daily body weight within 3 days before incubator weaning. Further, regarding the factors associated with EWBW, only the end-weaning PMA and necrotizing enterocolitis had a significant positive impact. Body weight gain and the status of intake-calorie gain showed no association with either the weaning period or the EWBW and, thus, were not related to the incubator weaning process.