Benefits of supplemented preterm formulas on insulin sensitivity and body composition after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate body composition and fasting insulin level in preterm infants receiving preterm formulas (higher protein plus docosahexaenoic acid) for longer periods compared with a recent historical cohort receiving these formulas for shorter periods. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 95 infants fed preterm formula for 6 months or longer (postdischarge formula group) and 87 infants fed preterm formula only during their hospital stay (hospital formula group) were included in this arm of the study. RESULTS: Bone mineral density, content, and lean mass were not different at 1 year and 2 years. However, in the postdischarge formula group, total fat mass (%) was lower by the second year (19.3% ± 5.3% vs 21.7% ± 4.2%; P < .01), trunk fat was lower by the first year (14.7% ± 5.0% vs 16.9% ± 4.9%; P < .005) and at the second year (14.1% ± 5.7% vs 17.2% ± 4.7%; P < .001), and fasting insulin was lower by the first year (13.2% ± 7.1% vs 17.2% ± 13.6% mIU/L; P = .06) and at the second year (13.6% ± 6.1% vs 26.4% ± 14.2%; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Preterm infants fed formulas enriched with docosahexaenoic acid may have a better subsequent metabolic profile.

Effect of 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D on bone mass in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Calcitriol deficit has been described in patients with acute lymphoblast leukemia (ALL). The aim of this randomized case-control trial is to investigate the effectiveness of calcitriol administration during the first year of treatment to protect bone mass. Sixteen children recently diagnosed with ALL, aged 1.7 to 11.5 years, average 5.5, completed the study. Anthropometrical measurements, food intake record, physical activity, and bone pain were registered. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry was performed at the completion of remission induction chemotherapy (after 1 mo) to measure bone mineral density (BMD) at hip, lumbar spine and whole body, and total bone mineral content and 1 year after. Half of them were randomly assigned to receive calcitriol during 1 year. STATISTICAL: Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, and Spearman. RESULTS: Both groups had similar anthropometric measurements and bone densitometric variables increments. Spine BMD significantly increased in calcitriol supplemented children with lower baseline BMD (r=-0.78 and P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: One-year calcitriol administered to recently diagnosed ALL children did not show impact on bone mass. Greater increment in lumbar spine bone mass was observed in patients who received calcitriol and had lower baseline BMD.

Normalización de la densidad mineral ósea en niños nacidos prematuros en Viña del Mar, Chile / Normalization of bone mineral density in premature-born children from Viña del Mar, Chile

Background: In a previous study we reported that healthy children born at 34 or fewer gestational weeks, with adequate weight for gestational age, had not completed their bone catch-up at mean age of 6.3 years. Aim: This is a follow up report, performed on the same population one year later to determine at which age premature - born children achieve their bone mineral density (BMD) catch-up, compared to term-born controls. Material and methods: Fifteen children mean age 7years 3 months, born at 25 to 34 weeks of gestation, with a birth weight of 740 to 2.200 g were studied Radius, lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density, whole body bone mineral content and body composition were assessed by DEXA. Results: Height, body mass index, peripheral BMD, axial BMD, fat and lean body mass in these children were not different from term born controls. Conclusions: Premature born children with adequate weight for gestational age, achieved peripheral and axial bone mineral density catch-up at the age of 7 to 8 years.

[Normalization of bone mineral density in premature-born children from Viña del Mar, Chile]. / Normalización de la densidad mineral ósea en niños nacidos prematuros en Viña del Mar, Chile.

BACKGROUND: In a previous study we reported that healthy children born at 34 or fewer gestational weeks, with adequate weight for gestational age, had not completed their bone catch-up at mean age of 6.3 years. AIM: This is a follow up report, performed on the same population one year later to determine at which age premature - born children achieve their bone mineral density (BMD) catch-up, compared to term-born controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen children mean age 7 years 3 months, born at 25 to 34 weeks of gestation, with a birth weight of 740 to 2.200 g were studied Radius, lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density, whole body bone mineral content and body composition were assessed by DEXA. RESULTS: Height, body mass index, peripheral BMD, axial BMD, fat and lean body mass in these children were not different from term born controls. CONCLUSIONS: Premature born children with adequate weight for gestational age, achieved peripheral and axial bone mineral density catch-up at the age of 7 to 8 years.