title: Preterm nutritional intake and MRI phenotype at term age: a prospective observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe (1) the relationship between nutrition and the preterm-at-term infant phenotype, (2) phenotypic differences between preterm-at-term infants and healthy term born infants and (3) relationships between somatic and brain MRI outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  UK tertiary neonatal unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Preterm infants (<32 weeks gestation) (n=22) and healthy term infants (n=39) MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preterm nutrient intake; total and regional adipose tissue (AT) depot volumes; brain volume and proximal cerebral arterial vessel tortuosity (CAVT) in preterm infants and in term infants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preterm nutrition was deficient in protein and high in carbohydrate and fat. Preterm nutrition was not related to AT volumes, brain volume or proximal CAVT score; a positive association was noted between human milk intake and proximal CAVT score (r=0.44, p=0.05). In comparison to term infants, preterm infants had increased total adiposity, comparable brain volumes and reduced proximal CAVT scores. There was a significant negative correlation between deep subcutaneous abdominal AT volume and brain volume in preterm infants (r=-0.58, p=0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though there are significant phenotypic differences between preterm infants at term and term infants, preterm macronutrient intake does not appear to be a determinant. Our preliminary data suggest that (1) human milk may exert a beneficial effect on cerebral arterial vessel tortuosity and (2) there is a negative correlation between adiposity and brain volume in preterm infants at term. Further work is warranted to see if our findings can be replicated and to understand the causal mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Section of Neonatal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital Campus, London, UK Department of Child Health, William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, Kent, UK.
authors.forename: Vimal
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vasu
authors.affiliation: Metabolic and Molecular Imaging Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Durighel
authors.forename: E Louise
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Metabolic and Molecular Imaging Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK Department of Perinatal Imaging & Health, Division of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Centre for the Developing Brain, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Malamateniou
authors.affiliation: Metabolic and Molecular Imaging Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Jimmy D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK Department of Perinatal Imaging & Health, Division of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Centre for the Developing Brain, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rutherford
authors.affiliation: Section of Neonatal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital Campus, London, UK.
authors.forename: Neena
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Modi
mesh_terms: D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000378:metabolism*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: Neonatology