Total energy intake accounts for postnatal anthropometric growth in moderately/late preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
Moderately preterm (MP) (32-33 weeks) and late preterm (LP) (34-36 weeks) infants have higher risks of mortality and growth and developmental problems. We, herein present a new concept of nutritional assessment, total energy intake (TEI), which is the sum total of kilocalories administered in all nutrient forms.


METHODS
Fifty-two preterm infants were classified as MP (n = 12), LP/appropriate for gestational age (LP/AGA) (n = 33), or LP/small for gestational age (LP/SGA) (n = 7). All groups received nutrient therapy by the same protocol. The sum of the daily energy intake at 14 and 28 days after birth was determined.


RESULTS
TEI was 2822.1 ± 162.1 kcal/kg/28 days in the MP group, 3187.2 ± 265.0 kcal/kg/28 days in the LP/AGA group and 3424.6 ± 210.4 kcal/kg/28 days in the LP/SGA group. In all groups, TEI for 28 days was significantly correlated with body weight gain (r = 0.465, p = 0.006). TEI for 14 days after birth was inversely correlated with the body weight loss rate after birth (r = -0.491, p = 0.0002).


CONCLUSIONS
TEI was well correlated with anthropometric changes after birth. TEI may be used to effectively assess preterm infants' nutritional needs.
a Department of Pediatrics , Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi , Yamanashi , Japan.
Hideaki
H
Yagasaki
a Department of Pediatrics , Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi , Yamanashi , Japan.
Yasushi
Y
Murakami
a Department of Pediatrics , Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi , Yamanashi , Japan.
Tetsuo
T
Ohyama
a Department of Pediatrics , Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi , Yamanashi , Japan.
Keiichi
K
Koizumi
a Department of Pediatrics , Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi , Yamanashi , Japan.
Minako
M
Hoshiai
a Department of Pediatrics , Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi , Yamanashi , Japan.
Takaya
T
Nakane
a Department of Pediatrics , Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi , Yamanashi , Japan.
Kanji
K
Sugita
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004035:Diet Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015430:Weight Gain
Nutritional therapy; preterm infants; small for gestational age; total energy intake