Ann Clin Nutr Metab.  2024 Dec;16(3):149-157. 10.15747/ACNM.2024.16.3.149.

The impact of nutritional intervention by a nutrition support team on extrauterine growth restriction in very low birth weight infants in Korea: a retrospective cohort study

• Lee SY
• Hwang HS
• Im W
• Kim H
• Chung ML

• KMID: 2562432
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15747/ACNM.2024.16.3.149

Abstract

Purpose
Achieving proper weight gain through adequate nutrition is critically important in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Despite recent active nutritional interventions, growth restriction is still common in VLBW infants. We aimed to determine whether nutritional intervention by a nutrition support team (NST) mitigated extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in VLBW infants.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of VLBW infants admitted to Haeundae Paik Hospital between March 2010 and February 2024. EUGR was defined as a decrease in the weight-for-age-z-score>1.2 from birth to the postconceptional age of 36 weeks, using Fenton growth charts.
Results
Among the 603 enrolled VLBW infants, 434 (72.0%) were diagnosed with EUGR. When comparing the control and nutritional intervention groups, the incidence of EUGR was significantly lower in infants in the intervention group (80.6% vs. 62.8%, P<0.00). Intervention group infants started enteral feeding earlier and reached half and full enteral feeding earlier (P<0.05). In addition, intravenous protein and lipid supply started sooner, increased at a faster rate, and reached peak concentrations sooner in the intervention group (P<0.05).
Conclusion
Nutritional intervention by an NST resulted in a significant decrease in the development of EUGR in VLBW infants.

Keyword

Enteral nutrition; Growth charts; Medical records; Very low birth weight infant; Weight gain