Randomised controlled trial of an aggressive nutritional regimen in sick very low birthweight infants

Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 1997 Jul;77(1):F4-11. doi: 10.1136/fn.77.1.f4.

Abstract

Aims: To improve energy intake in sick very low birthweight (VLBW) infants; to decrease growth problems, lessen pulmonary morbidity, shorten hospital stay, and avoid possible feeding related morbidity. Morbidity in VLBW infants thought to be associated with parenteral and enteral feeding includes bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotising enterocolitis, septicaemia, cholestasis and osteopenia of prematurity.

Methods: A prospective randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing two types of nutritional intervention was performed involving 125 sick VLBW infants in the setting of a regional neonatal intensive care unit. Babies were randomly allocated to either an aggressive nutritional regimen (group A) or a control group (group B). Babies in group B received a conservative nutritional regimen while group A received a package of more aggressive parenteral and enteral nutrition. Statistical analysis was done using Student's t test, the Mann-Whitney U test, the chi 2 test and logistic regression.

Results: There was an excess of sicker babies in group A, as measured by initial disease severity (P < 0.01), but mean total energy intakes were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in group A at days 3 to 42 while receiving total or partial parenteral nutrition. Survival and the incidences of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, septicaemia, cholestasis, osteopenia and necrotising enterocolitis were similar in both groups. Growth in early life and at discharge from hospital was significantly better in babies in group A. There were no decreases in pulmonary morbidity or hospital stay.

Conclusion: Nutritional intake in sick VLBW infants can be improved without increasing the risk of adverse clinical or metabolic sequelae. Improved nutritional intake resulted in better growth, both in discharge, but did not decrease pulmonary morbidity or shorten hospital stay.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Infections / physiopathology
  • Bacterial Infections / prevention & control
  • Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / physiopathology
  • Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / prevention & control
  • Energy Intake
  • Enteral Nutrition*
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / physiopathology
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Small for Gestational Age
  • Infant, Very Low Birth Weight* / growth & development
  • Male
  • Odds Ratio
  • Parenteral Nutrition*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Regression Analysis
  • Respiration, Artificial
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / physiopathology
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / therapy*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Survival Rate