Abstract
Aim: to evaluate the potential association of macronutrient intake in the first postnatal weeks on bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in extremely and very preterm infants. Methods: fifty-eight extremely and very preterm infants were included. Daily macronutrient intake was calculated in g kg−1 day−1 from birth up to 36 weeks postmenstrual age. A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry whole body scan was used to assess BMC and BMD in preterm infants at term corrected age (TCA) and six months corrected age (CA). Results: fat intake (g kg−1 day−1) in the first four postnatal weeks was positively associated with BMC and BMD at TCA. At six months CA, protein and fat intake (g kg−1 day−1) in the first weeks of life were both individual predictors for BMD. Fat intake (g kg−1 day−1) in the first four postnatal weeks was significantly associated with BMC at six months CA. Conclusion: the association of macronutrient intake in the first postnatal weeks on BMC or BMD, at TCA and six months CA, suggest that early nutritional intervention immediately after birth and during early infancy is important for bone health in the first months of life.
Highlights
Both early postnatal life and the third trimester of the pregnancy are crucial factors for skeletal growth [1,2]
The aim of this study is to investigate the potential association of macronutrients in the first weeks of life, and bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in extremely and very preterm infants at term age and six months corrected age, with the use of a whole body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan
There was no significant difference in ethnicity between these two groups
Summary
Both early postnatal life and the third trimester of the pregnancy are crucial factors for skeletal growth [1,2]. Preterm infants with a gestational age (GA) below 28 weeks have an increased incidence of impaired skeletal mineralization making them more susceptible to fractures [1,3,4]. Previous research reports that children between the age of 5 and 9 years who were born prematurely have both lower spine mineral density and mineral content compared to term age infants [5,6]. Preterm infants have lower bone mineral content (BMC) and lower bone mineral density (BMD) at birth and at 40 weeks corrected age compared to term infants [7,8,9]. Evaluation of BMC and BMD in preterm infants requires data on healthy growing infants and toddlers of the same age to provide a reference. Data on BMC and BMD in infants are limited [10]
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