Quality of General Movements Is Related to White Matter Pathology in Very Preterm Infants

Adequate nutrition of very preterm infants comprises fortification of human milk (HM), which helps to improve their nutrition and health. Standard HM fortification involves a fixed dose of a multi-nutrient HM fortifier, regardless of the composition of HM. This fortification method requires regular measurements of HM composition and has been suggested to be a more accurate fortification method. This observational study protocol is designed to assess whether the target HM fortification method (contemporary cohort) improves the energy and macronutrient intakes and the quality of growth of very preterm infants, compared with the previously used standard HM fortification (historical cohorts). In the contemporary cohort, a HM multi-nutrient fortifier and modular supplements of protein and fat are used for HM fortification, and the enteral nutrition recommendations of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition for preterm infants will be considered. For both cohorts, the composition of HM is assessed using the Miris Human Milk analyzer (Uppsala, Sweden). The quality of growth will be assessed by in-hospital weight, length, and head circumference growth velocities and a single measurement of adiposity (fat mass percentage and fat mass index) performed just after discharge, using the air displacement plethysmography method (Pea Pod, Cosmed, Italy). ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT04400396.

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Postnatal Decrease in Circulating Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I and Low Brain Volumes in Very Preterm Infants

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2010-2440 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 96 (4) ◽

pp. 1129-1135 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Ingrid Hansen-Pupp ◽

Holger Hövel ◽

Ann Hellström ◽

Lena Hellström-Westas ◽

Chatarina Löfqvist ◽

...

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Brain Volumes ◽

Very Preterm Infants ◽

Very Preterm ◽

Matter Volume ◽

Total Brain ◽

Igf I ◽

Igfbp 3

Abstract Context: IGF-I and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) are essential for growth and maturation of the developing brain. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between postnatal serum concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 and brain volumes at term in very preterm infants. Design: Fifty-one infants with a mean (sd) gestational age (GA) of 26.4 (1.9) wk and birth weight (BW) of 888 (288) g were studied, with weekly blood sampling of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 from birth until 35 gestational weeks (GW) and daily calculation of protein and caloric intake. Magnetic resonance images obtained at 40 GW were segmented into total brain, cerebellar, cerebrospinal fluid, gray matter, and unmyelinated white matter volumes. Main Outcome Measures: We evaluated brain growth by measuring brain volumes using magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Mean IGF-I concentrations from birth to 35 GW correlated with total brain volume, unmyelinated white matter volume, gray matter volume, and cerebellar volume [r = 0.55 (P < 0.001); r = 0.55 (P < 0.001); r = 0.44 (P = 0.002); and r = 0.58 (P < 0.001), respectively]. Similar correlations were observed for IGFBP-3 concentrations. Correlations remained after adjustment for GA, mean protein and caloric intakes, gender, severe brain damage, and steroid treatment. Protein and caloric intakes were not related to brain volumes. Infants with BW small for GA had lower mean concentrations of IGF-I (P = 0.006) and smaller brain volumes (P = 0.001–0.013) than infants with BW appropriate for GA. Conclusion: Postnatal IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations are positively associated with brain volumes at 40 GW in very preterm infants. Normalization of the IGF-I axis, directly or indirectly, may support normal brain development in very preterm infants.

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