Investigating the changes in amino acid values in premature infants: a pilot study

AbstractBackground:The objective of the study was to investigate the changes in amino acid (AAs) values in premature infants.Methods:A total of 2159 premature and/or low birth weight infants were recruited for this study. They were divided into three groups: premature infants with normal birth weight (G1), simple low birth weight infants (G2) and premature combined with low birth weight infants (G3). The tandem mass spectrometry technique was used to detect the levels of 11 AAs in neonatal blood.Results:Compared with normal babies, there were eight and five AAs that significantly changed in G1 and G2, respectively. It was worth noting that the changes greatly exacerbated when the babies were both premature and of low birth weight. All the levels of AAs demonstrated significant changes in G3 compared with the normal control group (G4). With the increase in gestational age, the AAs in premature infants tended to the levels in normal newborns. Meanwhile, there was a correlation between AAs and birth weight. Four AAs significantly changed with the increase in body weight. Among normal newborns, the levels of AAs in girls were significantly higher than in boys. However, if the newborns were premature or had low birth weight, the differences between AA values and sexual distinction would decrease. In the end, we established the specific reference ranges of AAs for premature and/or low birth weight infants.Conclusions:There were significant differences in AAs in the premature and/or low birth weight infants. Gestational age and birth weight were two important factors inflecting the AAs metabolism.

Download Full-text

The effect of ladder approach on development of preterm low birth weight infants with HIE-2

International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ◽

10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20200674 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 520

Author(s):

Tushar R. Jadhav ◽

Shailaja S. Jaywant

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Premature Infants ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Control Group ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Low Birth Weight Infants ◽

Significant Difference

Background: Premature infants with Peri-natal asphyxia leading to a hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) are at greater risk for cerebral palsy. HIE grade II infants have long term neurological complications due to maladaptive brain wiring during NICU stay. Ladder approach, with graded stimulation program is administered by Occupational therapist, plays a vital role to minimize the maladaptive responses to environment. Objective of this study was to effect of Ladder Approach on preterm low birth weight Infants with HIE-2 as compared to conventional treatment. Design of this study was to Prospective Block Randomized Convenient Sampling Control Trial, Experimental design study. The study was carried out in the NICU and PU ward of Tertiary care hospital in metropolitan city from April 2015 to October 2016. The study subjects included a convenient sample of 30 preterm Low birth weight HIE-2 infants randomly selected into study or control groups. Neonatal behavioural Assessment scale (NBAS), Infant Neurological International Battery (INFANIB).Methods: The preterm infants from study group who received Ladder Approach and control group who received routine conventional care only. Outcome measures NBAS was at baseline and first follow up. INFANIB was administered at second follow up to assess neurodevelopment.Results: Showed that the premature infants of the study had significant difference in neuro behavioral status with mean for all subcomponents from to post intervention mean 39.6 in experimental group and from baseline mean of 24.3 to post intervention mean score of 33.2 in control group on neurobehavioral scale. Further neurodevelopmental status showed similar results on INFANIB in experimental group.Conclusions: The premature Infants with HIE grade 2, receiving ladder approach have shown more mature responses resulting into well-organized Neurobehavioral status, and resulted in improved brain wiring as evident in INFANIB.

Download Full-text

Reticulocyte Count: The Forgotten Factor in Transfusion Decisions for Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants

American Journal of Perinatology ◽

10.1055/a-1653-4585 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Nakhla ◽

Alla Kushnir ◽

Rafat Ahmed ◽

Vineet Bhandari ◽

Krystal Hunter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Reticulocyte Count ◽

Retrospective Chart Review ◽

Extremely Low Birth Weight ◽

Positive Trend ◽

Reference Ranges ◽

Low Birth Weight Infants ◽

Packed Red Blood Cells

Background: Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants often receive transfusions of packed red blood cells. Long-term outcomes of infants treated with liberal versus restricted transfusion criteria have been evaluated with conflicting results. Clinicians incorporate a reticulocyte count (RC) in their transfusion decisions. There is a lack of information on reference ranges for RCs in growing ELBW infants and whether infant’s chronologic age or corrected gestational age generates a specific trend in the RCs. Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the levels of RCs obtained from ELBW infants over the course of the initial hospitalization. Study Design: A retrospective chart review of ELBW infants treated in the neonatal intensive care unit and had RCs performed. We analyzed the RCs to observe trends based on the chronologic age and corrected gestational age. Results: A total of 738 RCs were analyzed. A positive trend in RCs that reached a peak at 32-34 weeks corrected gestational age and then experienced a downward trend was observed. Conclusions: Our report examines a very common hematologic test that is theoretically helpful but is in need of guidelines concerning the appropriate frequency of testing and its utility in making transfusion decisions in ELBW infants.

Download Full-text

Characteristics of Catch-Up Growth in Very Low Birth Weight Infants (<1500 g)

10.5772/intechopen.96933 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Teodoro Durá-Travé ◽

Isabel San Martín-García ◽

Fidel Gallinas-Victoriano ◽

María Malumbres-Chacón ◽

Paula Moreno-González ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Small For Gestational Age ◽

Very Low Birth Weight ◽

Control Group ◽

Low Birth Weight Infants ◽

Normal Height ◽

Appropriate For Gestational Age ◽

Catch Up

Features of catch-up growth are not well established in very low birth weight infants (VLBW). The aim of this study is to analyze the catch-up growth in height and some factors associated in a cohort of VLBW (<1500 g) from birth to age 14 years. Retrospective registration of weight and height at birth and ages 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 years in a cohort of 170 VLBW have been recorded Anthropometric variables were compared with those from a control group. Sixty-nine (40.6%) were small for gestational age (SGA subgroup) and 101 (59.4%) were appropriate for gestational age (AGA subgroup). Thirty-seven (21.8%) were extremely low birth weight (ELBW), and 32 (18.8%) extremely preterm (EPT). At age 2, 4 and 10 years, 49.4%, 78.9% and 87.1% VLBW, respectively, did reach normal height. Between 4 and 10 years of age, only 8.2% of VLBW reached normal height. At 10 years of age, 7% of VLBW (1000–1500 g) and 35% of ELBW (<1500 g) showed short stature (p = 0.001). Almost the entire sample of VLBW with normal height at age 2, 4 and 10 have reached an adequate catch-up growth in weight in the previous evaluations. ELBW, SGA and EPT were found to be independent predictors for inadequate catch-up growth in height at 2, 4, and 10 years of age. The growth pattern of children born preterm has particular features: they have a lower rate and/or slowness in the catch-up growth in height with respect to that described in full-term small-for-gestational-age infants. Catch-up in weight appears to be a decisive factor for catch-up in height, and, on this basis, we recommend a rigorous nutritional follow-up in these individuals. If these measures do not help improve catch-up in height, they may be eligible for the establishment of rhGH therapy.

Download Full-text

Weight gain by gestational age in both black and white women delivered of normal-birth-weight and low-birth-weight infants

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.1016/0002-9378(91)90519-w ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 164 (3) ◽

pp. 801-805 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Diana B. Petitti ◽

Mary S. Croughan-Minihane ◽

Robert A. Hiatt

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Gestational Age ◽

White Women ◽

Normal Birth Weight ◽

Low Birth Weight Infants ◽

Black And White ◽

Normal Birth

Download Full-text

Serum Endocan Level as a Predictive Marker for Hemodynamically Significant Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Very Low Birth Weight İnfants

American Journal of Perinatology ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1603509 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 34 (13) ◽

pp. 1312-1317 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Cuneyt Tayman ◽

Ufuk Cakır ◽

Mehmet Buyuktiryaki ◽

Utku Serkant ◽

Serife Oğuz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Patent Ductus Arteriosus ◽

Premature Infants ◽

Very Low Birth Weight ◽

Ductus Arteriosus ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Low Birth Weight Infants ◽

Patent Ductus

Background Diagnosis and treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants is still an important problem for clinicians. Echocardiography is the gold standard for determination of PDA based on clinical and hemodynamic significance. Clinical decision making may be aided by measuring circulating biomarkers such as natriuretic and endothelial propeptides. We aimed to investigate the significance of serum endocan and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in the diagnosis and follow-up of hemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA) in very low birth weight infants. Materials and Methods In this study, 84 premature infants with gestation age less than 32 weeks were included. Forty-two premature infants with hsPDA were determined as the study group and 42 premature infants without PDA were assigned as the control group. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for serum endocan and pro-BNP levels. Results Serum levels of pro-BNP and endocan in the study group at the time of diagnosis of PDA were found to be significantly higher than the control group, and the levels decreased significantly after medication. Multivariate regression analysis showed that birth weight and the presence of PDA were significantly correlated with serum endocan levels. The cutoff values of pro-BNP and endocan for PDA prediction were 290 pg/mL and 506 ng/mL, respectively. Conclusion Endocan and pro-BNP assays have clinical importance in the diagnosis, initiation therapy, and follow response to therapy in very low birth weight infants with hsPDA.

Download Full-text