Effect of Enteral Zinc Supplementation on the Anthropometric Measurements of Preterm Infants at Discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Evaluation of Copper Deficiency.
Nutrients
; 16(11)2024 May 25.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38892545
ABSTRACT
Enteral zinc supplementation in preterm infants has been reported to improve short-term weight and height gain. This study aims to evaluate whether early enteral zinc supplementation in preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) affects their physical measurements at discharge, and to periodically test serum copper levels. Of the 221 patients admitted to the NICU, 102 were in the zinc group and 119 were in the no-zinc group. The zinc group was administered 3 mg/kg/day of zinc. Body weight, height, and head circumference at discharge (or on the expected delivery date) were evaluated, and the factors affecting these parameters were examined. Serum zinc and copper levels were also evaluated on admission and monthly thereafter. Multivariate analysis was performed and showed that the weeks of gestational age and small for gestational age (SGA) status affected the height and weight at discharge. SGA also affected the head circumference. Serum copper levels were within the reference range for all patients at 3 months of age. Enteral zinc supplementation of 3 mg/kg/day in preterm infants did not affect the weight, height, or head circumference at discharge, but was shown to be relatively safe.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Patient Discharge
/
Zinc
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Infant, Premature
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Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
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Enteral Nutrition
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Copper
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Dietary Supplements
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
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Male
/
Newborn
Language:
En
Journal:
Nutrients
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Japan