Energy intake, growth, and development in ventilated very-low-birth-weight infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia
S. Davidson, A. Schrayer, E. Wielunsky, R. Krikler, P. Lilos and S. H. Reisner
Department of Neonatology and Follow-up Clinic, Beilinson Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Petah Tiqva, Israel.
Seventy-one ventilated very-low-birth-weight infants (birth weight, 500 to
1250 g) with (n = 30) and without (n = 41) bronchopulmonary dysplasia were
studied to compare their growth achievements and to determine the
association between neurodevelopmental outcome, growth, and nutrition.
Growth delay was observed in both groups. No association was found between
head circumference and percent weight loss, age to full gavage feeds, age
to regain birth weight and energy intake at 2 and 4 weeks of life. Fifty
percent of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and 37% of the control
group had minor and major handicap. Mean duration of assisted ventilation
was significantly longer in handicapped infants (21.5 vs 12.5 days; F =
6.49; df = 1,53). No association was found between abnormal
neurodevelopmental outcome and weight, length, and head circumference at 12
and 21 months after term. Although mean energy intake per kilogram per day
at 2 weeks of life was significantly lower in handicapped infants (344.82
vs 412.86 kJ; F = 7.6; df = 1,53), age to regain birth weight, age to full
feeds, percent weight loss, and energy intake at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of life
did not differ significantly between normal and handicapped infants.
Aggressive nutritional support to promote growth in ventilated
very-low-birth-weight infants may not influence the neurodevelopmental
outcome.
