Blood urea nitrogen concentration as a marker of amino-acid intolerance in neonates with birthweight less than 1250 g.
OBJECTIVE
Currently blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is commonly used as a marker of protein intolerance in very preterm infants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between amino-acid intakes and BUN concentrations during the early neonatal period in preterm neonates.


METHODS
Retrospective review of BUN concentration data from 121 infants with birthweight <or=1250 g receiving exclusive parenteral nutrition over the first 72 hours of life.


RESULTS
There were 136 separate BUN concentration values. Amino-acid intake range was 0 to 3.7 g kg-1 day-1 and nonprotein calorie intake range was 15 to 45 kcal kg-1 d-1. There was no correlation between BUN concentration and amino-acid intake (p=0.2 and r2=0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
In parenterally nourished preterm neonates amino-acid intake is not correlated with BUN concentration in the first days of life. Therefore, limiting amino-acid intake based on BUN concentration is not warranted in this patient population.
Ridout
Erick
E
Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO 80262, USA.
Melara
Diane
D
Rottinghaus
Sarah
S
Thureen
Patti J
PJ
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001724:Birth Weight; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000596:Amino Acids; D015415:Biomarkers