Energy expenditure in extremely low birth weight infants near time of hospital discharge.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that total energy expenditure is significantly higher in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants compared with healthy term infants near the time of discharge.


METHODS
This study was designed to determine total energy expenditure and body composition in a group of ELBW infants nearing discharge receiving full-volume enteral feedings of fortified breast milk or postdischarge formula (Neosure) (n = 10; mean birth weight, 0.8 +/- 0.1 kg; mean gestational age, 26 +/- 0.8 weeks; mean age at study, 68 +/- 9 days; mean postconceptional age, 36 +/- 1 weeks) and compare them with healthy term newborns all receiving breast milk (n = 14; mean birth weight, 3.5 +/- 0.5 kg; mean gestational age, 39.0 +/- 1.4 weeks; mean age at study, 2.3 +/- 1 days). Body composition and total energy expenditure were measured using the doubly labeled water method over a 7-day period.


RESULTS
Mean total energy expenditure was significantly higher in the ELBW infants compared with the term infants (89 +/- 22 kcal/kg/day vs 58 +/- 19 kcal/kg/day; P <or= .001). Total energy expenditure normalized to fat-free mass was also significantly greater in the ELBW infants (98 +/- 3 kcal/kg/day vs 73 +/- 20 kcal/kg/day; P <or= .01).


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of total energy expenditure is greater in ELBW infants nearing discharge compared with normal healthy term infants. In the ELBW infants, higher energy intake compensates for their higher total energy expenditure.
Guilfoy
Veronica M
VM
Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5210, USA. vmhuck@iupui.edu
Wright-Coltart
Shirley
S
Leitch
Catherine A
CA
Denne
Scott C
SC
D000886:Anthropometry; D001724:Birth Weight; D001835:Body Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D041943:Infant Formula; D052577:Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism; D015430:Weight Gain
D014867:Water; D010100:Oxygen