Antropometria e composição corporal de recém-nascidos pré-termo na idade gestacional e no peso equivalente ao termo

Application of bioelectrical impedance in newborns: an integrative review

OBJECTIVE

the objective of this study was to identify the use of bioelectrical impedance in newborns (NB), as this is an easy-to-apply and non-invasive method of measurement that can be used for distinguishing fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), and total body water (TBW).

METHOD

this was an integrative review of the literature using the PUBMED/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Virtual Health Library databases to search for original articles between 2010-2020. A total of 900 articles were retrieved; after checking for duplicity and applying the eligibility criteria, 9 were further analyzed.

RESULTS

about the results, five studies used single frequency bioimpedance, with a specific population of neonates, preterm and/or full term, and different clinical conditions. Resistance was the most studied bioelectric indicator, the phase angle is little explored, and four studies investigated body composition (FFM, FM and TBW). Studies found that preterm newborns had lower amounts of TBW, FFM, and FM than term newborns, and there were differences in body composition between sex. The phase angle was lower for preterm newborns and fed babies with high protein formulas had increases in the FFM.

CONCLUSION

there is a need for multicenter studies to define standardized methods to be used with this public.

Biochemical predictors for metabolic syndrome in preterm infants according to weight ratio

Objective

Prematurity and low birth weight predispose preterm infants to cardiovascular disease in later life. Is the metabolic profile of these children impacted by the relation between birth weight and gestational age (GA)? This study aimed to evaluate whether the relationship between birth weight and GA of preterm infants has a positive correlation with the metabolic profile from birth to the sixth month of corrected age.

Methods

This is a longitudinal, prospective study with a cohort of 70 preterm and 54 term infants, who were enrolled in the study and shared into two groups: Appropriate for GA (AGA) and Small for GA (SGA), both classified at birth by Fenton and Kim curves. Longitudinal evaluation of anthropometry measures and blood samples of total cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, and insulin were collected at birth, NICU discharge, and the sixth month of corrected age. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (ANOVA, Fisher test, Shapiro-Wilk, and Cochran test). The effect size was 0.15, power was 0.92, and confidence interval 95%.

Results

No significant statistical differences were observed in relation to biochemical tests between AGA and SGA groups. However, a significant increase in triglyceride results above the reference values for age in the SGA group was observed throughout the follow-up.

Conclusion

Changes observed in the preterm infant metabolic profile show no correlation with adequacy of birth weight. Preterm lipid profile requires continuous evaluation at follow-up, due to the increased cardiovascular risk in later life.

Energy expenditure, growth, and nutritional therapy in appropriate and small for gestational age preterm infants

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the resting energy expenditure, growth, and quantity of energy and macronutrients intake in a group of preterm newborns.

METHODS

The cohort study was performed with appropriate and small for gestational age preterm infants (birth weight lower than 1500g or gestational age<32 weeks). Resting energy expenditure was measured using indirect calorimetry on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days of life, and at discharge. Length, head circumference and body weight were assessed weekly. Nutritional therapy was calculated during the hospital stay and the information for each type of food was recorded in software that calculates the total amount of energy and macronutrients.

RESULTS

61 preterm infants were followed; 43 appropriate and 18 small for gestational age infants. There was no statistical difference for resting energy expenditure between the groups, and it increased from the first to the fourth week of life (appropriate: 26.3% and small: 21.8%). Energy intake in the first two weeks of life was well below the energy requirement.

CONCLUSION

Considering that the results demonstrate high energy expenditure during the first weeks of life, there is an evident need to provide the best quality of nutrition for each child in the first weeks of life so that preterm infants with or without intrauterine growth restriction can achieve their maximum potential for growth and development.