title: Postnatal growth restriction and predictors of nutritional outcome in very low birth weight infants fed human milk and assisted by the Kangaroo Mother Care method.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  [corrected] The study sought to determine the prevalence of postnatal growth restriction (PNGR) and the predictors of nutritional outcome in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study conducted in a maternity school between July 2005 and August 2006. One-hundred and twelve VLBW infants were assessed during hospitalization, fed unfortified human milk and assisted by Kangaroo Mother Care. The dependent variables included the number of days required to reach minimum weight and regain birth weight, the percentage of weight loss, and the deterioration of nutritional status. These parameters were converted into a factor termed "nutritional outcome" using factor analysis. Multiple linear regressions were used to identify predictors of nutritional outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PNGR was observed in 89.3% of the infants at hospital discharge. The predictors of nutritional outcome were: appropriate-for-gestational-age infants, children of mothers aged ≤ 20 years old, need for mechanical ventilation, longer stays in the neonatal intensive care unit, and a greater number of days to achieve full enteral nutrition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important to know the factors that negatively influence the nutritional outcome of VLBW infants, as these can be modified through the improvement of perinatal care and can reduce PNGR.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, General Gustavo Cordeiro de Faria, SN, Petrópolis, Natal/RN, 59010-180. Natal/RN, Brazil. annachristina.natal@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Anna Christina do N G
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Barreto
authors.forename: Claudia R S
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Maia
authors.forename: Kênio de C
authors.initials: Kde C
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Hélcio de S
authors.initials: Hde S
authors.lastname: Maranhão
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000254:growth & development*; D060127:Kangaroo-Mother Care Method; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008895:Milk, Human; D055815:Young Adult