Randomised controlled trial of postnatal sodium supplementation on body composition in 25 to 30 week gestational age infants.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of early and delayed sodium supplementation on body composition and body water compartments during the first two weeks of postnatal life.


METHODS
Preterm infants of 25-30 weeks' gestation were stratified and randomly assigned according to gender and gestational age, to receive a sodium intake of 4 mmol/kg/day beginning either on the second day after birth or when weight loss of 6% of birthweight had been achieved. Daily sodium intake, total fluid intake, energy intake, urine volume, and urinary sodium excretion were recorded. Total body water was measured by H(2)(18)O dilution on days 1, 7, and 14, and extracellular fluid volume by sodium bromide dilution on days 1 and 14.


RESULTS
Twenty four infants received early, and 22 delayed, sodium supplementation. There were no significant differences between the groups in body water compartments on day 1. In the delayed group, but not the early group, there was a significant loss of total body water during the first week (delayed -44 ml/kg, p=0. 048; early 6 ml/kg, p=0.970). By day 14 the delayed, but not the early group, also had a significant reduction in extracellular fluid volume (delayed -53 ml/kg, p=0.01; early -37 ml/kg, p=0.2). These changes resulted in a significant alteration in body composition at the end of the first week (total body weight: delayed 791 ml/kg; early 849 ml/kg, p=0.013). By day 14 there were once again no significant differences in body composition between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Body composition after preterm birth is influenced by the timing of introduction of routine sodium supplements. Early sodium supplementation can delay the physiological loss of body water that is part of normal postnatal adaptation. This is likely to be of particular relevance to babies with respiratory distress syndrome. A tailored approach to clinical management, delaying the introduction of routine sodium supplements until there has been postnatal loss of body water, is recommended.
Hartnoll
G
G
Section of Paediatrics and Neonatal Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN.
Bétrémieux
P
P
Modi
N
N
D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects*; D001834:Body Water / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight; D001965:Bromides; D002149:Energy Intake; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007201:Indicator Dilution Techniques; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D010103:Oxygen Isotopes; D012964:Sodium / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000652:urine; D017670:Sodium Compounds; D015431:Weight Loss
D001965:Bromides; D010103:Oxygen Isotopes; D017670:Sodium Compounds; D012964:Sodium; C027938:sodium bromide