title: [Does early parenteral protein intake improve extrauterine growth in low birth weight preterms?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Extrauterine growth restriction affects most premature newborns. Early and higher parenteral protein intake seems to improve postnatal growth and associated comorbidities. We evaluate the impact of a new parenteral nutrition protocol based on early amino acid administration on postnatal growth in premature infants with a birth weight < 1,500 grams.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control study in 58 premature newborns with a birth weight < 1,500 grams. In the case group we included 29 preterm neonates who received at least 1.5 g/kg/day parenteral amino acid during the first 24 hours after birth, reaching a maximum dose of 3.5 g/kg/day on the 3(rd)-4(th) day after birth. The control group was formed by 29 preterm neonates for whom protein support began on the 2(nd-)3(rd) day after birth with a dose of 1g/kg/day with lower daily increases than the case group. Growth rates and complications were followed until 28 days of life or discharge from NICU.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences between groups in baseline characteristics. Premature newborns who received higher and earlier doses of proteins had a greater weight gain than the control group, and this difference was statistically significant (423 ± 138 g vs. 315 ± 142 g; P=.005). In addition, they had a higher daily weight gain rate (19.4 ± 3.3 vs. 16.5 ± 4.8; P=.010) and they regained birth weight earlier (11.5 ± 3.3 days vs. 14.5 ± 4.5 days; P=.045). A higher incidence of complications was not observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early and higher amino acid administration improves growth rate in premature neonates with no apparent increase in risks for the patient.
authors: Servicio de Neonatología, Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, España. vg.laura@hotmail.com
authors: L Vázquez
authors: LV
authors: García
authors: I Oulego
authors: IO
authors: Erroz
authors: M Maneiro
authors: MM
authors: Freire
authors: A Pérez
authors: AP
authors: Muñuzuri
authors: A Baña
authors: AB
authors: Souto
authors: M L Couce
authors: ML
authors: Pico
authors: J M Fraga
authors: JM
authors: Bermúdez
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000254:growth & development*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins