Experiencias del equipo de salud en la aplicación del contacto piel con piel / Experiences of the Health Team in the Application of Skin-To- Skin Contact

Introducción: La Organización Panamericana de la Salud refiere que a nivel mundial pocos son los países que aplican el contacto piel con piel cuando lo realizan es por un tiempo inadecuado a pesar de los múltiples beneficios para la madre y el recién nacido. Objetivo: Describir la aplicación del contacto piel con piel desde la experiencia del equipo de salud en un centro materno infantil del sector público en Perú. Métodos: Investigación cualitativa con diseño descriptivo, de tipo estudio de caso, en una muestra no probabilística de 10 integrantes del equipo de salud, elegidos por conveniencia y determinado por saturación y redundancia. Los datos se recolectaron a través de la entrevista semiestructurada en línea. La información se procesó de manera manual, mediante el análisis de contenido temático. Resultados: Se obtuvieron tres categorías: a) aplicación del contacto piel con piel en la atención inmediata del recién nacido, b) estrategias implementadas para la aplicación del contacto piel con piel y c) barreras afrontadas por el equipo de salud para aplicar el contacto piel con piel. Conclusiones: Desde la experiencia del personal de salud, es posible aplicar el contacto pial a piel previa capacitación y sensibilización al equipo de salud, y acondicionamiento del ambiente, a fin de implementarlo como política del establecimiento de salud(AU)

Introduction: The Pan American Health Organization reports that few countries worldwide apply skin-to-skin contact and when they use it is during an inadequate amount of time despite the multiple benefits for the mother and the newborn. Objective: To describe the application of skin-to-skin contact from the experience of the health team in a public maternal and child center in Peru. Methods: A qualitative research with a descriptive design, case study, was carried out in a non-probabilistic sample of 10 members of the health team, chosen by convenience and determined by saturation and redundancy. Data were collected through semi-structured online interviews. The information was processed manually, through thematic content analysis. Results: Three categories were obtained: a) application of skin-to-skin contact in the immediate care of the newborn, b) strategies implemented for the application of skin-to-skin contact, and c) barriers faced by the health team to apply skin-to-skin contact. Conclusions: From the experience of health personnel, it is possible to apply skin-to-skin contact after training and sensitization to the health team and conditioning of the environment, in order to implement it as a policy of the health facility(AU)

O recém-nascido hospitalizado em unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal e o posicionamento no leito / The newborn hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit and bed positioning: systematic review / El recién nacido hospitalizado en la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales y el posicionamiento en la cama: revisión sistemática

Objetivo: identificar quais os posicionamentos e produtos auxiliares mais indicados para o recém-nascido hospitalizado em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal. Método: caracteriza-se como básica, de caráter exploratório e quanto aos procedimentos técnicos é uma revisão sistemática da literatura. A busca teve como bases a Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, Plataforma Capes e Unique, limitando as publicações realizadas entre 2011 e 2021. Obteve-se 85 resultados, sendo a análise e discussão dos dados realizada com 7 estudos. Resultados: verificou-se que existem diversos posicionamentos que podem ser utilizados nesses pacientes, como os decúbitos dorsal, ventral e lateral, sendo o ventral o mais indicado. Ademais, identificaram-se diversos produtos que podem ser utilizados para auxiliar no posicionamento dos recém-nascidos e que podem facilitar os cuidados de enfermagem. Considerações finais: observou-se que poucos estudos trouxeram um padrão e/ou um método de posicionamento vinculado com os produtos auxiliares.

Objective: to identify which are the most suitable positioning and auxiliary products for the newborn hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Method: this is characterized as basic, exploratory, and as to the technical procedures, it is a systematic literature review. The search was based on the Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, Plataforma Capes and Unique, limiting publications between 2011 and 2021. A total of 85 results were obtained, and the analysis and discussion of the data was carried out with 7 studies. Results: it was found that there are several positions that can be used in these patients, such as dorsal, ventral, and lateral decubitus, with the ventral position being the most indicated. Furthermore, several products were identified that can be used to assist in positioning the newborns and that can facilitate nursing care. Final considerations: it was observed that few studies brought a standard and/or a positioning method linked to the auxiliary products.

Objetivo: identificar cuáles son los posicionamientos y productos auxiliares más adecuados para los recién nacidos hospitalizados en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales. Método: se caracteriza como básico, de carácter exploratorio y en cuanto a los procedimientos técnicos es una revisión sistemática de la literatura. La búsqueda se basó en la Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, Plataforma Capes y Unique, limitando las publicaciones entre 2011 y 2021. Se obtuvieron 85 resultados, siendo el análisis y la discusión de los datos realizados con 7 estudios. Resultados: Se ha comprobado que hay varias posiciones que pueden utilizarse en estos pacientes, como el decúbito dorsal, ventral y lateral, siendo la ventral la más adecuada. Además, se identificaron varios productos que pueden utilizarse para ayudar a colocar a los recién nacidos y que pueden facilitar los cuidados de enfermería. Consideraciones finales: se observó que pocos estudios trajeron un patrón y/o un método de posicionamiento vinculado a los productos auxiliares.

Colostro, leite produzido pela mulher logo após o parto, fortalece o sistema imunológico e protege a saúde do bebê

O contato pele a pele entre mulher e criança e a amamentação na primeira hora de vida, após o nascimento, também chamada de “hora de ouro”, são de grande importância para estabelecer laços entre mãe e bebê. Segundo o Fundo das Nações Unidas para a Infância (Unicef), esses também são fatores de proteção contra mortes neonatais.

Deixar o bebê de barriga para baixo fortalece a musculatura infantil e estimula o desenvolvimento motor

Entre as práticas recomendadas para o fortalecimento da musculatura da criança está o Tummy Time (hora da barriga, em português), que consiste em colocar o bebê de barriga para baixo por um tempo e sob supervisão dos responsáveis.

OPAS lança campanha sobre importância do cuidado dos recém-nascidos durante os primeiros 28 dias de vida

A Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (OPAS), por meio de seu Centro Latino-Americano de Perinatologia (CLAP), lançou nesta terça-feira (1/2) uma campanha para conscientizar e promover um cuidado de qualidade dos recém-nascidos durante os primeiros 28 dias de vida, período em que correm maior risco de morrer.

Clinical characteristics, growth patterns, and long-term diabetes complications of 24 patients with neonatal diabetes mellitus: A single center experience.

OBJECTIVES: Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) is a rare form of monogenic diabetes, diagnosed before age 6 months. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, molecular genetics, and long-term follow-up of NDM patients from a single pediatric endocrine center in Israel. METHODS: Retrospective study (1975-2020) of all patients diagnosed with diabetes before 6 months of age, who tested negative for pancreatic autoantibodies. Medical records were reviewed for demographic, familial and medical history, and clinical and biochemical features; a genetic analysis was performed. RESULTS: Of 24 patients, nine had transient neonatal diabetes (TNDM) and 15 permanent neonatal diabetes (PNDM), of whom five had rare syndromic causes. Genetic etiology was revealed in 87.5% of the NDM cohort, and the most common causes were ABCC8 mutations in TNDM and KCNJ11 and insulin gene mutations in PNDM. The switch from insulin to off-label sulfonylurea therapy was successful for 5/9 (56%) of the qualifying candidates. Severe hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis developed in 2 (8%) patients, and chronic diabetes complications in 5 (21%) patients with more than 10 years NDM. At last follow-up, weight and height of all but two syndromic PNDM patients were normal. The median height-SDS of the TNDM subgroup was significantly taller and the mean weight-SDS significantly heavier than those of the PNDM subgroup (-0.52 (-0.67, -0.09) vs. -0.9 (-1.42, -0.3) (p = 0.035) and 0.22 ± 0.69 vs. -0.89 ± 1.21 (p = 0.02), respectively). PNDM patients showed no incremental change in mean weight SDS over the time. CONCLUSION: The Israeli NDM cohort has clinical and genetic characteristics comparable with other populations. Patients with TNDM were taller and heavier than those diagnosed with PNDM, although both show rapid catch-up growth and reached normal growth parameters. Chronic diabetes complications developed in patients with long-standing NDM.

Successional Stages in Infant Gut Microbiota Maturation.

Disturbances in the primary colonization of the infant gut can result in lifelong consequences and have been associated with a range of host conditions. Although early-life factors have been shown to affect infant gut microbiota development, our current understanding of human gut colonization in early life remains limited. To gain more insights into the unique dynamics of this rapidly evolving ecosystem, we investigated the microbiota over the first year of life in eight densely sampled infants (n = 303 total samples). To evaluate the gut microbiota maturation transition toward an adult configuration, we compared the microbiome composition of the infants to that of the Flemish Gut Flora Project (FGFP) population (n = 1,106). We observed the infant gut microbiota to mature through three distinct, conserved stages of ecosystem development. Across these successional gut microbiota maturation stages, the genus predominance was observed to shift from Escherichia over Bifidobacterium to Bacteroides. Both disease and antibiotic treatment were observed to be associated occasionally with gut microbiota maturation stage regression, a transient setback in microbiota maturation dynamics. Although the studied microbiota trajectories evolved to more adult-like constellations, microbiome community typing against the background of the FGFP cohort clustered all infant samples within the (in adults) potentially dysbiotic Bacteroides 2 (Bact2) enterotype. We confirmed the similarities between infant gut microbial colonization and adult dysbiosis. Profound knowledge about the primary gut colonization process in infants might provide crucial insights into how the secondary colonization of a dysbiotic adult gut can be redirected. IMPORTANCE After birth, microbial colonization of the infant intestinal tract is important for health later in life. However, this initial process is highly dynamic and influenced by many factors. Studying this process in detail requires a dense longitudinal sampling effort. In the current study, the bacterial microbiota of >300 stool samples was analyzed from 8 healthy infants, suggesting that the infant gut microbial population matures along a path involving distinct microbial constellations and that the timing of these transitions is infant specific and can temporarily retrace upon external events. We also showed that the infant microbial populations show similarities to suboptimal bacterial populations in the guts of adults. These insights are crucial for a better understanding of the dynamics and characteristics of a "healthy gut microbial population" in both infants and adults and might allow the identification of intervention targets in cases of microbial disturbances or disease.

Patterns of Fetal and Infant Growth and Brain Morphology at Age 10 Years.

Importance: Preterm birth and low birth weight are associated with brain developmental and neurocognitive outcomes in childhood; however, not much is known about the specific critical periods in fetal life and infancy for these outcomes. Objective: To examine the associations of fetal and infant growth patterns with brain morphology in children at school age. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based, prospective cohort study was conducted from February 1 to April 16, 2021, as a part of the Generation R Study in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The study included 3098 singleton children born between April 1, 2002, and January 31, 2006. Exposures: Fetal weight was estimated in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy by ultrasonography. Infant weight was measured at birth and at 6, 12, and 24 months. Fetal and infant weight acceleration or deceleration were defined as a change in SD scores greater than 0.67 between time points. Infant measurements also included peak weight velocity, and age and body mass index reached at adiposity peak. Main Outcomes and Measures: Brain structure, including global and regional brain volumes, was quantified by magnetic resonance imaging at age 10 years. Results: The study evaluated 3098 children (mean [SD] age at follow-up, 10.1 [0.6] years; 1557 girls [50.3%]; and 1753 Dutch [57.8%]). One SD score-higher weight gain until the second and third trimesters, birth, and 6, 12, and 24 months was associated with larger total brain volume independently of growth during any other age windows (second trimester: 5.7 cm3; 95% CI, 1.2-10.2 cm3; third trimester: 15.3 cm3; 95% CI, 11.0-19.6 cm3; birth: 20.8 cm3; 95% CI, 16.4-25.1 cm3; 6 months: 15.6 cm3; 95% CI, 11.2-19.9 cm3; 12 months: 11.3 cm3; 95% CI, 7.0-15.6 cm3; and 24 months: 11.1 cm3; 95% CI, 6.8-15.4 cm3). Compared with children with normal fetal and infant growth, those with fetal and infant growth deceleration had the smallest total brain volume (-32.5 cm3; 95% CI, -53.2 to -11.9 cm3). Children with fetal weight deceleration followed by infant catch-up growth had similar brain volumes as children with normal growth. Higher peak weight velocity and body mass index reached at adiposity peak were associated with larger brain volumes. Similar results were observed for cerebral and cerebellar gray and white matter volumes. Conclusions and Relevance: This cohort study's findings suggest that both fetal and infant weight growth might be critical for cerebral and cerebellar brain volumes during childhood. Whether these associations link to neurocognitive outcomes should be further studied.

Ops, a Nestlé aprontou de novo

Descobertas científicas recentes jogaram luzes sobre os primeiros 1.000 dias de vida, que passaram a ser conhecidos como uma janela de oportunidades fundamental. Nada disso passou despercebido pelas corporações de várias áreas, que chegaram trazendo um caminhão de produtos para explorar medos e ansiedades de uma fase naturalmente delicada para mães e pais. Fabricantes de fórmulas infantis mostram que não aprenderam nada com os erros do passado, e mais uma vez adotam estratégias que podem afetar a saúde de recém-nascidos. Esta temporada do Prato Cheio tem o apoio do Instituto Serrapilheira. A ficha técnica completa, com todas as fontes de informação usadas neste episódio, está disponível em nosso site. Você já entrou no canal do Prato Cheio no Telegram? Ele é nosso fórum de discussão sobre o podcast, onde a gente também manda bastidores e curiosidades sobre a produção dos episódios e divulga com antecedência tudo que estamos fazendo. Aliás, pro Prato Cheio seguir produzindo conteúdo independente e de qualidade, a gente precisa da sua ajuda. Se puder nos apoiar financeiramente, todos os caminhos estão aqui. Se não puder, divulgue a Prato Cheio pra família e amigos, isso nos ajuda muito!

Influence of Dietary Behaviors on Dyslipidemia in Pregnant Women and Its Effects on Physical Development of Fetuses and Infants: A Bidirectional Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes can alter the trajectory of fetal development, but there are few studies on the effects of abnormal lipid metabolism on physical development of infants. We aimed to explore the prevalence of maternal dyslipidemia, its influencing factors and effects on the physical development of fetuses and infants, as well as the role of leptin in this process. METHODS: Questionnaire surveys and main outcome measures were administered among 338 pairs of pregnant women and newborns. RESULTS: The detection rate of maternal dyslipidemia was 31.5%. The median levels of TG (triglyceride) and TG/HDL (high-density lipoprotein) ratio were higher in large-for-gestational-age (LGA) newborns. Birth weight was positively related to infants' height and weight at six months and one year old (p < 0.05). Leptin was positively related to TG levels of pregnant women and newborns' birth weight (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that having greater than or equal to four meals a day (OR = 6.552, 95%CI = 1.014-42.338) and liking to eat lightly flavored food during pregnancy (OR = 1.887, 95%CI = 1.048-3.395) were independent risk factors of maternal dyslipidemia. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dyslipidemia was relatively high in pregnant women and was affected by dietary behaviors. Abnormal lipid levels during pregnancy could affect weight and length at birth, which might be associated with increasing leptin levels in cord blood, and then the weight of infants would be influenced by birth weight.

Effectiveness of prealbumin as an indicator of growth in neonates.

ABSTRACT: We designed this study to assess the effectiveness of prealbumin as an indicator of growth as well as a nutritional marker in neonates.Between March 2017 and June 2019, we measured serum prealbumin concentrations of 80 neonates in neonatal intensive care unit at birth, postnatal day 14 and 28, and classified them into 3 groups (early preterm, late preterm, and term infants). And we examined correlation among prealbumin levels, nutritional intake, and anthropometric measurements (weight, length, and head circumference) in neonates.Prealbumin measured on the 14th postnatal day in early preterm infants showed significant correlations with the length, weight, and head circumference z-scores. Prealbumin levels increased with time in the late preterm and term groups. At birth, prealbumin levels were the lowest in late preterm babies, implying that they are nutritionally deficient and need nutritional support. At postnatal day 28, the prealbumin levels of many preterm infants did not reach those seen in term babies at birth, suggesting the presence of extrauterine growth restriction.Prealbumin can be considered as an indicator of sufficient growth in early preterm infants.

Maternal Dietary Quality and Dietary Inflammation Associations with Offspring Growth, Placental Development, and DNA Methylation.

The 'Developmental Origins of Health and Diseases' hypothesis posits that prenatal maternal diet influences offspring growth and later life health outcomes. Dietary assessment has focused on selected nutrients. However, this approach does not consider the complex interactions between foods and nutrients. To provide a more comprehensive approach to public health, dietary indices have been developed to assess dietary quality, dietary inflammation and risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Thus far, their use in the context of placental development is limited and associations with offspring outcomes have been inconsistent. Although epidemiological studies have focused on the role of maternal diet on foetal programming, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. Some evidence suggests these associations may be driven by placental and epigenetic changes. In this narrative review, we examine the current literature regarding relationships between key validated diet quality scores (Dietary Inflammatory Index [DII], Mediterranean diet [MD], Healthy Eating Index [HEI], Alternative Healthy Eating Index [AHEI], Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension [DASH], Glycaemic Index [GI] and Glycaemic Load [GL]) in pregnancy and birth and long-term offspring outcomes. We summarise findings, discuss potential underlying placental and epigenetic mechanisms, in particular DNA methylation, and highlight the need for further research and public health strategies that incorporate diet quality and epigenetics.

Maternal and neonatal outcomes in mothers with diabetes mellitus in qatari population.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a major cause of maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidities. Our objective was to estimate the effect of both pre-pregnancy and gestational DM on the growth parameters of newborns in the Qatari population. METHODS: In this population-based cohort study, we compared the data of neonates born to Qatari women with both pre-pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus in 2017 with neonates of healthy non-diabetic Qatari women. RESULTS: Out of a total of 17020 live births in 2017, 5195 newborns were born to Qatari women. Of these, 1260 were born to women with GDM, 152 were born to women with pre-pregnancy DM and 3783 neonates were born to healthy non-diabetic (control) women. The prevalence of GDM in the Qatari population in 2017 was 24.25%. HbA1C% before delivery was significantly higher in women with pre-pregnancy DM (mean 6.19 ± 1.15) compared to those with GDM (mean 5.28 ± 0.43) (P <0.0001). The mean birth weight in grams was 3066.01 ± 603.42 in the control group compared to 3156.73 ± 577.88 in infants born to women with GDM and 3048.78 ± 677.98 in infants born to women with pre-pregnancy DM (P <0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference regarding the mean length (P= 0.080), head circumference (P= 0.514), and rate of major congenital malformations (P= 0.211). Macrosomia (Birth weight > 4000 gm) was observed in 2.7% of the control group compared to 4.8% in infants born to women with GDM, and 4.6% in infants born to women with pre-pregnancy DM (P= 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that higher maternal age (adjusted OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.93, 2.52, P<0.0001), obesity before pregnancy (adjusted OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.30, 2.23, P<0.0001), type of delivery C-section (adjusted OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.09, 1.44, P=0.002), and body weight to gestational age LGA (adjusted OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.64, 2.34, P<0.0001) were significantly associated with increased risk of GDM. CONCLUSION: Despite the multi-disciplinary antenatal diabetic care management, there is still an increased birth weight and an increased prevalence of macrosomia among the infants of diabetic mothers. More efforts should be addressed to improve the known modifiable factors such as women's adherence to the diabetic control program. Furthermore, pre-pregnancy BMI was found to be significantly associated with gestational DM, and this is a factor that can be addressed during pre-conceptional counseling.

Multi-Omics Analysis on Neurodevelopment in Preterm Neonates: A Protocol Paper.

BACKGROUND: The gut microbiome is an important determinant of health and disease in preterm infants. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this article was to share our current protocol for other neonatal intensive care units to potentially expand their existing protocols, aiming to characterize the relationship between the intestinal microbiome and health outcomes in preterm infants. METHODS: This prospective, longitudinal study planned to recruit 160 preterm infants born <32 weeks gestational age or weighing <1,500 g and admitted to one of two Level III/IV neonatal intensive care units. During the neonatal intensive care unit period, the primary measures included events of early life pain/stress, gut microbiome, host genetic variations, and neurobehavioral assessment. During follow-up visits, gut microbiome; pain sensitivity; and medical, growth, and developmental outcomes at 4, 8-12, and 18-24 months corrected age were measured. DISCUSSION: As of February 14, 2020, 214 preterm infants have been recruited. We hypothesize that infants who experience greater levels of pain/stress will have altered gut microbiome, including potential adverse outcomes such as necrotizing enterocolitis and host genetic variations, feeding intolerance, and/or neurodevelopmental impairments. These will differ from the intestinal microbiome of preterm infants who do not develop these adverse outcomes. To test this hypothesis, we will determine how alterations in the intestinal microbiome affect the risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis, feeding intolerance, and neurodevelopmental impairments in preterm infants. In addition, we will examine the interaction between the intestinal microbiome and host genetics in the regulation of intestinal health and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Long-term effects of a modified, low-protein infant formula on growth and body composition: Follow-up of a randomized, double-blind, equivalence trial.

BACKGROUND & AIM: High protein intake in early life is associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity. Feeding a modified lower-protein (mLP) infant formula (1.7 g protein/100 kcal) until the age of 6 months is safe and supports adequate growth. The aim of the present study is to assess longer-term anthropometry with BMI at 1 and 2 years as primary outcome parameter and body composition in children fed mLP formula. METHODS: Healthy term-born infants received mLP or control formula (CTRL) (2.1 g protein/100 kcal) until 6 months of age in a double-blinded RCT. A breast-fed (BF) group served as a reference. Anthropometry data were obtained at 1 and 2 years of age. At the age of 2 years, body composition was measured with air-displacement plethysmography. Groups were compared using linear mixed model analysis. RESULTS: At 1 and 2 years of age, anthropometry, including BMI, and body composition did not differ between the formula groups (n = 74 mLP; n = 69 CTRL). Compared to the BF group (n = 51), both formula-fed groups had higher z scores for weight for age, length for age, waist circumference for age, and mid-upper arm circumference for age at 1 year of age, but not at 2 years of age (except for z score of weight for age in the mLP group). In comparison to the BF group, only the mLP group had higher fat mass, fat-free mass, and fat mass index. However, % body fat did not differ between feeding groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this follow-up study, no significant differences in anthropometry or body composition were observed until 2 years of age between infants fed mLP and CTRL formula, despite the significantly lower protein intake in the mLP group during the intervention period. The observed differences in growth and body composition between the mLP group and the BF reference group makes it necessary to execute new trials evaluating infant formulas with improved protein quality together with further reductions in protein content. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: This trial was registered in the Dutch Trial Register (Study ID number NTR4829, trial number NL4677). https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/4677.

Normative Echocardiographic Values for Right and Left Ventricular Function in Extremely Premature Neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the measures of biventricular function and surrogates of pulmonary vascular resistance that can be expected in relatively stable extremely premature neonates, and evaluate maturational changes in myocardial performance in this patient population. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective observational study. Clinically stable extremely preterm newborns were divided into 3 cohorts based on gestational age: cohort 1 (240/7-256/7 weeks), cohort 2 (260/7-276/7 weeks), and cohort 3 (280/7-296/7 weeks). Serial echocardiograms were obtained on day of life 3-5, 7-10, and just prior to discharge. RESULTS: In total, 46 subjects met the criteria aimed at capturing only the most clinically healthy and stable newborns less than 296/7 weeks of gestational age. Myocardial performance was reliably assessed by echocardiography with high inter-reader correlation. Normative values were identified for right ventricular function, left ventricular function, and surrogates of pulmonary vascular resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Biventricular systolic performance is significantly different in the clinically stable extremely premature neonate when compared with healthy full-term newborns. All participants had evidence of poor biventricular compliance at birth which improved with maturation. Extreme prematurity does not appear to adversely affect myocardial functional maturation at the time of term corrected age and/or discharge.

Fortification of Breast Milk With Preterm Formula Powder vs Human Milk Fortifier in Preterm Neonates: A Randomized Noninferiority Trial.

Importance: Fortification of expressed breast milk (EBM) using commercially available human milk fortifiers (HMF) increases short-term weight and length in preterm very low-birth-weight (VLBW) neonates. However, the high cost and increased risk of feed intolerance limit their widespread use. Preterm formula powder fortification (PTF) might be a better alternative in resource-limited settings. Objective: To demonstrate that fortification of EBM by preterm formula powder is noninferior to fortification by HMF, in terms of short-term weight gain, in VLBW neonates. Design, Setting, and Participants: Open-label, noninferiority, randomized trial conducted from December 2017 to June 2019 at a level 3 neonatal unit in India. The trial enrolled preterm (born at or before 34 weeks of gestation) VLBW neonates receiving at least 100 mL/kg/d of feeds and consuming 75% of milk or more as EBM. Interventions: Neonates were randomly assigned to receive fortification by either PTF or HMF. Calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin D, and multivitamins were supplemented in PTF and only vitamin D in the HMF group to meet the recommended dietary allowances. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the weight gain until discharge from the hospital or 40 weeks' postmenstrual age, whichever was earlier; the prespecified noninferiority margin was 2 g/kg/d. Secondary outcomes included morbidities such as necrotizing enterocolitis, feed intolerance, and extrauterine growth restriction (<10th percentile on the Fenton chart at 40 weeks' postmenstrual age). Results: Of the 123 neonates enrolled, 60 and 63 were randomized to the PTF and HMF groups, respectively. The mean gestation (30.5 vs 29.9 weeks) and birth weight (1161 vs 1119 g) were comparable between the groups. There was no difference in the mean (SD) weight gain between the PTF and HMF groups (15.7 [3.9] vs 16.3 [4.0] g/kg/d; mean difference, -0.5 g/kg/d; 95% CI, -1.9 to 0.7). The lower bound of 95% CI did not cross the noninferiority margin. The incidence of feed intolerance was lower in the PTF group (1.4 vs 6.8 per 1000 patient-days; incidence rate ratio 0.19; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.95), and fewer neonates required withholding of fortification for 24 hours or more (5% vs 22%; risk ratio, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.75). The incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis stage II or more (0 vs 5%) and extrauterine growth restriction (73% vs 81%) was comparable between the groups. Conclusions and Relevance: Fortification with preterm formula powder is not inferior to fortification with human milk fortifiers in preterm neonates. Given the possible reduction in feed intolerance and lower costs, preterm formula might be a better option for fortification, especially in resource-restricted settings. Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registry, India Identifier: CTRI/2017/11/010593.

Total body water in full-term and preterm newborns: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Total body water (TBW) is one component of fat-free mass and changes in TBW are influenced by fluid shifts (especially during transition to postnatal life), electrolyte balance and nutritional status. Normal values for term-born neonates and preterm infants at birth have not been defined in large cohorts, limiting investigation into its monitoring and use in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the evidence base for percentage of TBW in term-born infants, quantify the effect of prematurity on TBW at birth, and describe normal progression of TBW over time in preterm infants. METHODS: Systematic review of Medline, Web of Science Core Collection and EBSCO-CINAHL (January 1946 to January 2020). Included articles used dilutional methods to assess TBW. RESULTS: Searches identified 2349 articles of which 22 included data suitable for analysis. Mean TBW in term-born newborns was 73.8% (95% CI 72.47% to 75.06%, 15 studies, 433 infants). Meta-regression showed that TBW was higher in preterm infants (up to 90% at 26 weeks gestation, dropping to 75% at 36 weeks corrected gestation) and was negatively correlated with gestation at birth, falling 1.44% per week (95% CI 0.63% to 2.24%, 9 studies, 179 infants). Analysis of TBW over time during the ex utero growth of preterm infants was not possible due to paucity of data. CONCLUSION: This review defines the normal TBW percentage in term-born infants and confirms and quantifies previous findings that preterm infants have a higher TBW percentage.

Fatty acids in the placenta of appropiate- versus small-for-gestational-age infants at term birth.

INTRODUCTION: Fatty acids are essential nutrients for the fetus and are supplied by the mother through the placenta. Desaturase and elongase enzymes play an important role in modulating the fatty acid composition of body tissues. We aimed to compare the fatty acid profile and the estimated desaturase and elongase activities in the placenta of appropriate (AGA) versus small-for-gestational-age (SGA), and to determine their relationship with the offspring size at birth. METHODS: The placental fatty acid profile was analyzed by gas chromatography in 84 infants (45 AGA and 30 SGA) from a prenatal cohort study. The estimated desaturase and elongase activities were calculated from product-precursor fatty acid ratios. Results were associated with maternal (age, body mass index and weight gain during gestation) and neonatal (gestational age, sex, birth weight and birth length) parameters. RESULTS: Differences in placental fatty acid composition between AGA and SGA infants rather than correlations thereof with neonatal parameters were observed. Placentas from SGA infants contained lower levels of omega-3 (ALA, EPA, DPA, and DHA) and high omega-6/omega-3 ratios (AA/DHA and LA/ALA), as well as low elongase (Elovl5) and high desaturase (D9Dn7 and D5Dn6) activity as compared to AGA infants (all p < 0.0001). DISCUSSION: Placentas of AGA and SGA infants differed in fatty acids profile as well as in estimated desaturase and elongase activities. A striking feature of SGA placentas was the low availability of omega-3. Hence, omega-3 fatty acid status deserves further attention, as a potential target of prenatal interventions.