High Early Parenteral Lipid in Very Preterm Infants: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

Association of different doses of antenatal corticosteroids exposure with early major outcomes and early weight loss percentage in extremely preterm infants or extremely low birthweight infants: a multicentre cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the dose-dependent associations between antenatal corticosteroids (ANS) exposure and the rates of major morbidities, and the early weight loss percentage (EWLP) in hospital among extremely preterm infants (EPI) or extremely low birthweight infants (ELBWI).

METHODS

A multicentre, retrospective cohort study of EPI or ELBWI born between 2017 and 2018 was conducted. Infants were classified into no ANS, partial ANS and complete ANS exposure group; three subgroups were generated by gestational age and birth weight. Multiple logistic regression and multiple linear regression were performed.

RESULTS

There were 725 infants included from 32 centres. Among no ANS, partial ANS and complete ANS exposure, there were significant differences in the proportions of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (24.5%, 25.4% and 16.1%), necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) (6.7%, 2.0% and 2.0%) and death (29.6%, 18.5% and 13.5%), and insignificant differences in the proportions of intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) (12.5%, 13.2% and 12.2%), and extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) (50.0%, 56.6% and 59.5%). In the logistic regression, compared with no ANS exposure, complete ANS reduced the risk of BPD (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.91), NEC (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.57) and death (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.56), and partial ANS reduced the risk of NEC (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.72) and death (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.87). Compared with partial ANS exposure, complete ANS decreased the risk of BPD (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.91). There were insignificant associations between ANS exposure and IVH, EUGR. In the multiple linear regression, partial and complete ANS exposure increased EWLP only in the ≥28 weeks (w) and <1000 g subgroup (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Different doses of ANS (dexamethasone) exposure were protectively associated with BPD, NEC, death in hospital, but not EUGR at discharge among EPI or ELBWI. Beneficial dose-dependent associations between ANS (dexamethasone) exposure and BPD existed. ANS exposure increased EWLP only in the ≥28 w and<1000 g subgroup. ANS administration, especially complete ANS, is encouraged before preterm birth.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT06082414.

Reducing extrauterine growth restriction in very preterm neonates: A before-after intervention study

BACKGROUND

Focus on preterm nutrition strategies is imperative. Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) is a clinically relevant, but seemingly elusive consequence, often used to benchmark and compare outcomes.

METHODS

This before-after observational study was designed to study the effect of a multipronged updated "nutrition care bundle" in very preterm infants on rate of EUGR compared with a cohort from a previous period. Eligible participants were neonates born at <32 weeks' gestation who completed care in the unit; a retrospective group from a previous period and a prospective cohort after implementation of the bundle were included. The bundle constituted of three key areas: (1) aggressive parenteral nutrition with high-dose amino acids and lipids from day 1, (2) "rapid-escalation" enteral feed regimens including earlier introduction of human milk fortifier (at 40-ml/kg/day feeds), and (3) colostrum mouth paint and structured oromotor stimulation to promote oral feeding. EUGR was defined as a z score difference of >-1 in weight for postmenstrual age (PMA) at discharge and at birth.

RESULTS

Data of 116 infants were retrieved for the retrospective group; 103 infants were included in the prospective group. EUGR was reduced from 71% to 58% (P = 0.039) after implementation of the bundle. Infants in the prospective group achieved full oral feeds at earlier PMA (P < 0.001) and were discharged at earlier PMA (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of neonates with EUGR was reduced significantly after implementation of the revised nutrition care bundle. Achievement of full oral feeds and discharge readiness were earlier in the prospective group.

Safe and efficient practice of parenteral nutrition in neonates and children aged 0-18 years - The role of licensed multi-chamber bags

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is recognized as a complex high-risk therapy. Its practice is highly variable and frequently suboptimal in pediatric patients. Optimizing care requires evidence, consensus-based guidelines, audits of practice, and standardized strategies. Several pediatric scientific organizations, expert panels, and authorities have recently recommended that standardized PN should generally be used over individualized PN in the majority of pediatric patients including very low birth weight premature infants. In addition, PN admixtures produced and validated by a suitably qualified institution are recommended over locally produced PN. Licensed multi chamber bags are standardized PN bags that comply with Good Manufacturing Practice and high-quality standards for the finished product in the frame of their full manufacturing license. The purpose of this article is to review the practical aspects of PN and the evidence for using such multi-chamber bags in pediatric patients. It highlights the safety characteristics and the limitations of the different PN practices and provides some guidance for ensuring safe and efficient therapy in pediatric patients.

A Retrospective Study Evaluating Guideline Adherence of Neonatal Parenteral Nutrition in a Belgian Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Introduction Clinical nutrition for preterm and critically ill neonates remains a challenge. Preterms are often hemodynamically and metabolically compromised, which limits infusion volumes of nutrients and hinders achieving recommended nutrient intakes. While guidelines provide recommended ranges for parenteral nutrition (PN) intakes, they generally recommend enteral nutrition as soon as possible. Thus, in clinical practice, gradually increasing EN intakes complicates assessments of PN guideline adherence. Via a pragmatic approach, we assessed adherence to PN recommendations for macronutrients and energy as stated in the 2018 guidelines of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN). Methods In this retrospective study, we assessed the nutrition of preterm and critically ill term neonates from the neonatal intensive care unit of the University Hospital Brussels. We analyzed intakes for the first week of life, in which critically ill neonates at our center usually receive the majority of nutrients via PN. The PN-based provision of macronutrients and energy was analyzed descriptively in relation to the ESPGHAN 2018 recommendations. Results Macronutrients and energy provision gradually increased until they reached recommended or targeted values. Compared to term neonates, energy and lipid provision for preterms increased faster, while amino acid provision exceeded the ESPGHAN 2018 recommendations. Conclusions This study adds clinical practice data to the severely understudied field of the ESPGHAN 2018 PN guideline compliance. Using a pragmatic assessment of our nutrition protocols, we found the need to reduce the amount of amino acids per kg body weight per day to meet guideline recommendations.

Body composition after implementation of an enhanced parenteral nutrition protocol in the neonatal intensive care unit: a randomised pilot trial

BACKGROUND

Very low birthweight (VLBW) infants are at risk for growth failure and poor neurodevelopment. Optimised parenteral nutrition may help promote optimal growth and development, but concerns that provision of enhanced nutrition may contribute to increased early adiposity and later metabolic disease remain.

AIM

To determine associations between provision of an early enhanced parenteral nutrition protocol or standard parenteral nutrition protocol and growth and body composition for VLBW preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.

SUBJECTS

This is a secondary analysis of data from a clinical trial aimed at assessing the feasibility and safety of randomising VLBW preterm infants to Standard (n = 45) or Intervention (n = 42) parenteral nutrition groups between August 2017 and June 2019.

METHODS

We evaluated associations between weekly infant growth and body composition measurements from n = 55 infants (Standard = 29, Intervention = 26) that were clinically stable enough to have body composition measurements taken before discharge using mixed effects linear regression models.

RESULT

No statistically significant associations between nutrition group and infant growth or body composition measures were observed (p >.05).

CONCLUSION

In this pilot trial, enhanced parenteral nutrition in the first week of life was not associated with significant differences in infant growth or body composition during hospitalisation.

Monitoring and management of hypertriglyceridemia in extremely low birth weight neonates receiving intravenous lipid emulsions: A national survey

AIM

To assess the practice variation of defining, monitoring and managing hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) in extremely low birth weight neonates receiving intravenous lipid emulsions (IVLE).

METHODS

An 8-question survey created via the web survey site Qualtrics was distributed to neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners and fellows within the Section of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine email directory list in the United States and Canada. Survey results were obtained between August and September 2022.

RESULTS

There were 249 respondents from approximately 4000 members within the Section of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. Responses were documented as a frequency (percentage) with a margin of error of plus or minus 6.2 %. Most respondents were neonatologists, individuals practicing for >10 years and reported a unit-based policy for IVLE initiation and advancement. The definitions of HTG varied among respondents, with the majority (42.7 %) reporting a defining threshold of >200 mg/dL. Nineteen percent of respondents reported not routinely monitoring serum triglyceride concentrations with variable triglyceride monitoring intervals reported by other survey respondents. Regarding elevated triglyceride concentrations, 19.0 % reported decreasing the IVLE rate and checking triglyceride concentrations until normalization; 14.6 % reported IVLE discontinuation and monitoring triglyceride concentrations until normalization; 61.9 % reported using a combination of the above practices; and 4.4 % reported individualized practices for IVLE management with elevated triglyceride concentrations.

CONCLUSION

This survey demonstrates a high variation in defining, monitoring and managing HTG in extremely low birth weight neonates and emphasizes the need for studies to better guide this practice.

Dilemmas in the delivery of intravenous lipid emulsions and approach to hypertriglyceridemia in very preterm and low birth weight infants

Intravenous lipid emulsions (ILEs) are an essential component of parenteral nutrition for very preterm and very low birth weight infants (VLBWs). This article offers a perspective on advancements and controversies on ILE use in this population. ILEs prescribed after birth at a dose of 1.5-2 g/kg/day and advanced to 3 g/kg/day enhance growth. Growth appears to be similar for infants who receive an ILE composed of 100% soybean oil or a multi-oil ILE with 15% fish oil. 100% fish oil is the preferred ILE for the management of parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis and intestinal failure associated liver disease. Research is warranted to help determine how we can optimize ILEs to improve neurodevelopment and prematurity complications. Last, we lack a universal definition of hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) and consensus on triglyceride surveillance and HTG management. Investigation is required to determine the health impact of specific triglyceride ranges in very preterm infants and VLBWs.

Parenteral Nutrition in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Intravenous Lipid Emulsions

Intravenous lipid emulsions (ILEs) are a source of nonprotein calories and fatty acids and help promote growth in preterm infants and infants with intestinal failure. An ILE dose and oil source determines its fatty acid, phytosterol, and vitamin E delivery. These factors play a role in the infant's risk for essential fatty acid deficiency and cholestasis, and help modulate inflammation, immunity, and organ development. This article reviews different ILEs and their constituents and their relationship with neonatal health.

Guidelines for parenteral nutrition in preterm infants: The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition

BACKGROUND

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is prescribed for preterm infants until nutrition needs are met via the enteral route, but unanswered questions remain regarding PN best practices in this population.

METHODS

An interdisciplinary committee was assembled to answer 12 questions concerning the provision of PN to preterm infants. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) process was used. Questions addressed parenteral macronutrient doses, lipid injectable emulsion (ILE) composition, and clinically relevant outcomes, including PNALD, early childhood growth, and neurodevelopment. Preterm infants with congenital gastrointestinal disorders or infants already diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis or PN-associated liver disease (PNALD) at study entry were excluded.

RESULTS

The committee reviewed 2460 citations published between 2001 and 2023 and evaluated 57 clinical trials. For most questions, quality of evidence was very low. Most analyses yielded no significant differences between comparison groups. A multicomponent oil ILE was associated with a reduction in stage 3 or higher retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) compared to an ILE containing 100% soybean oil. For all other questions, expert opinion was provided.

CONCLUSION

Most clinical outcomes were not significantly different between comparison groups when evaluating timing of PN initiation, amino acid dose, and ILE composition. Future clinical trials should standardize outcome definitions to permit statistical conflation of data, thereby permitting more evidence based recommendations in future guidelines. This guideline has been approved by the ASPEN 2022-2023 Board of Directors.

Hindmilk as a Rescue Therapy in Very Preterm Infants with Suboptimal Growth Velocity

Despite advances in neonatal nutrition, very preterm infants remain at increased risk of extrauterine growth faltering. This prospective study aimed to examine the effect of hindmilk, the milk at the end of a breast expression session, on growth and plasma fatty acids (FAs) of infants born <30 weeks' gestation who had been on full enteral feeds for ≥2 weeks and had a weight gain of <15 g/kg/day despite optimizing energy and protein intakes. Weight and plasma FAs were assessed before and two weeks after feeding hindmilk. Growth anthropometrics were assessed weekly for four weeks. Paired t-tests and multiple linear regression were used for statistical analyses of data from 34 infants and their 29 mothers. There was a significant increase in weight gain in the two weeks after feeding hindmilk (MD 3.9, 95%CI 1.2-6.5 g/kg/day). Weight Z-scores were larger at two weeks (MD 0.61, 95%CI 0.02-1.20) and onwards. Head circumference Z-scores were larger at three weeks (MD 0.83, 95%CI 0.20-1.47) and onwards. Plasma linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) increased after feeding hindmilk. In conclusion, hindmilk may improve weight and head growth and increase LA and ALA in very preterm infants with suboptimal growth. A large randomized controlled trial is required to examine and validate the potential benefits of hindmilk.

Optimising growth in very preterm infants: reviewing the evidence

Infants born before 32 weeks' postmenstrual age are at a high risk of growth failure. International guidelines have long recommended that they match the growth of an equivalent fetus, despite the challenges posed by ex utero life and comorbidities of prematurity. Several groups have recently questioned the necessity or desirability of this target, shifting attention to aiming for growth which optimises important long-term outcomes. Specifically, recent research has identified the neurodevelopmental benefits of enhanced growth during the neonatal period, but work in term infant suggests that rapid growth may promote the metabolic syndrome in later life. In this context, defining a pattern of growth which optimises outcomes is complex, controversial and contested. Even if an optimal pattern of growth can be defined, determining the nutritional requirements to achieve such growth is not straightforward, and investigations into the nutritional needs of the very preterm infant continue. Furthermore, each infant has individual nutritional needs and may encounter a number of barriers to achieving good nutrition. This article offers a narrative review of recent evidence for the competing definitions of optimal growth in this cohort. It examines recent advances in the determination of macronutrient and micronutrient intake targets along with common barriers to achieving good nutrition and growth. Finally, key implications for clinical practice are set out and a recommendation for structured multidisciplinary management of nutrition and growth is illustrated.

Growth of Very Preterm Infants in a Low-Resourced Rural Setting after Affiliation with a Human Milk Bank

The extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) of very preterm infants has been associated with long-term complications and neurodevelopmental problems. EUGR has been reported at higher rates in low resource settings. There is limited research investigating how metropolitan human milk banks contribute to the growth outcomes of very preterm infants cared in rural areas. The setting of this study is located at a rural county in Taiwan and affiliated with the Taiwan Southern Human Milk Bank. Donor human milk was provided through a novel supplemental system. A renewal nutritional protocol was initiated as a quality improvement project after the affiliated program. This study aimed to compare the clinical morbidities and growth outcome at term equivalent age (TEA) of preterm infants less than 33 weeks of gestational age before (Epoch-I, July 2015–June 2018, n = 40) and after the new implementation (Epoch-II, July 2018–December 2020, n = 42). The Epoch-II group significantly increased in bodyweight z-score at TEA ((−0.02 ± 1.00) versus Epoch-I group (−0.84 ± 1.08), p = 0.002). In multivariate regression models, the statistical difference between two epochs in bodyweight z-score changes from birth to TEA was still noted. Modern human milk banks may facilitate the nutritional protocol renewal in rural areas and improve the growth outcomes of very preterm infants cared for. Establishing more distribution sites of milk banks should be encouraged.

Stereophotogrammetric head shape assessment in neonates is feasible and can identify distinct differences between term-born and very preterm infants at term equivalent age

The development of head shape and volume may reflect neurodevelopmental outcome and therefore is of paramount importance in neonatal care. Here, we compare head morphology in 25 very preterm infants with a birth weight of below 1500 g and / or a gestational age (GA) before 32 completed weeks to 25 term infants with a GA of 37–42 weeks at term equivalent age (TEA) and identify possible risk factors for non-synostotic head shape deformities. For three-dimensional head assessments, a portable stereophotogrammetric device was used. The most common and distinct head shape deformity in preterm infants was dolichocephaly. Severity of dolichocephaly correlated with GA and body weight at TEA but not with other factors such as neonatal morbidity, sex or total duration of respiratory support. Head circumference (HC) and cranial volume (CV) were not significantly different between the preterm and term infant group. Digitally measured HC and the CV significantly correlated even in infants with head shape deformities. Our study shows that stereophotogrammetric head assessment is feasible in all preterm and term infants and provides valuable information on volumetry and comprehensive head shape characteristics. In a small sample of preterm infants, body weight at TEA was identified as a specific risk factor for the development of dolichocephaly.

Safety and Efficacy of Early High Parenteral Lipid Supplementation in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize the effects of early initiation and achievement of a high dose of parenteral lipids (≥1.5 g/kg/day reached within the first 24 h of birth) on growth and adverse outcomes in preterm infants. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were utilized to search for publications for this meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials were eligible if data on growth or clinical outcome was available. The search returned nine studies. The mean proportion of postnatal weight loss (%) was lower (mean difference [MD]: −2.73; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −3.69, −1.78), and the mean head circumference near the term equivalent age (cm) was higher in the early high lipid treatment group (MD: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.25, 1.09). There was a favorable association of early high lipid administration with the incidence of extrauterine growth restriction (relative risk [RR]: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.48). Generally, there were no differences in morbidities or adverse outcomes with early high lipid administration. Early initiation of parenteral lipids and high dose achieved within the first 24 h of life appear to be safe and endurable and offer benefits in terms of growth.