[Influence of growth hormone (GH) and nutrition on neonatal growth]. / Influencia de la GH y de la nutrición sobre el crecimiento en el periodo neonatal.

OBJECTIVE: At present, growth regulating factors in the transition from fetal to postnatal life remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of GH and nutrition on neonatal growth. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum and 24-hour urine GH levels, various anthopometric variables and daily energy and nutrient intake were measured in appropriate (AGA), large (LGA) and small for gestational age (SGA) newborn infants. These variables were measured at 1 (n = 98), 3 (n = 41) and 5 weeks of postnatal age (n = 8). RESULTS: The highest GH levels at the 1st week of postnatal life were obtained in preterm SGA infants (GHs: 61.4 +/- 20.0 microUI/m; GHu: 18.6 +/- 10.3 ng/kg/24 h). GH levels decreased in preterm infants, so that differences between groups failed to be significant at the third and fifth weeks of postnatal life. Urinary GH excretion did not show significant variations in the control group during the study (1st wk 3.0 +/- 3.5; 3rd wk 2.3 +/- 2.7; 5th wk 3.2 +/- 4.7 ng/kg/24 h). Daily protein intake had a direct relationship with both triceps skinfold and weight and head perimeter increase. SGA preterm infants showed a higher fat increase compared to AGA preterm infants. Serum and urinary GH levels were not related to the anthopometric variables studied. CONCLUSIONS: There are differences in GH secretion and body composition between SGA and AGA preterm infants. GH probably does not contribute to neonatal growth.

[Breast feeding and length of hospitalization]. / Lactancia y estancia hospitalaria.

One of the important tasks for a nurse is to insure that the newborn receives all the nourishment that it needs. A well fed baby is healthier, experiences a shorter hospital stay and develops a stronger bond with its mother. To prove this point a study was performed on a group of low birth weight newborns (free of other pathological symptoms) to compare nutrition against hospitalization time. 85 children of both sexes were divided into 3 groups: premature but of normal gestational size, premature but small for gestational size, and full term but small for gestational size; all had a birth weight superior to 2 kilos and were examined postpartum on their first and third week. The groups were then subdivided into 2 groups: one received only artificial milk formula and the other group received their mothers' milk through a bottle. The children that drank the maternal milk required fewer days in the hospital (18 +/- 6 days versus 27 +/- 7 days for those drinking only formula) and had a smaller percentage of weight loss after birth (3.7 +/- 2.0% versus 5.2 +/- 2.9%), demonstrating a significant difference in their overall health.