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First-year growth trajectory and early nutritional requirements for optimal growth in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective To describe the growth trajectory of children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) during the first year, to assess the risk factors for growth failure (GF) at 1 year and to determine nutritional intakes at discharge required for early optimal growth.

Design Single-centre retrospective cohort study based on data from a structured follow-up programme.

Setting and patients All neonates with CDH (2013–2019) alive at discharge and followed up to age 1.

Interventions None.

Main outcome measures Weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) at birth, 3, 6 and 12 months of age; risk factors for GF at age 1; energy and protein intake of infants achieving early optimal growth.

Results Sixty-three of 65 neonates who were alive at discharge were included. Seven (11%) had GF at 1 year and 3 (4.8%) had a gastrostomy tube. The mean WAZ decreased in the first 3 months before catching up at 1 year (−0.6±0.78). Children with a severe form or born preterm experienced a deeper loss (from −1.5 to −2 z-scores) with late and limited catch-up. The median energy intake required to achieve positive or null weight growth velocity differed significantly according to CDH severity, ranging from 100 kcal/kg/day (postnatal forms) to 139 kcal/kg/day (severe prenatal forms) (p=0.009).

Conclusions Growth patterns of CDH infants suggest that nutritional risk stratification and feeding practices may influence growth outcomes. Our results support individualised and active nutritional management based on CDH severity, with energy requirements as high as 140% of recommended intakes for healthy term infants.

  • neonatology
  • growth
  • intensive care units, neonatal
  • paediatrics

Data availability statement

All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information.

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