Abstract
Background: The effect of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) on early postnatal growth is not well documented. Subjects: 26 premature babies (8M,16F; mean birth weight 1014 (695-1590)g; median gestational age 27(24-31) weeks). 13 infants had BPD diagnosed by oxygen dependency and radiological abnormalities at 28 days. 4 received dexamethasone(D) for a median time of 27 days. Measurements: Daily weight (g), weekly occipital-frontal circumference (OFC)(cm) and total body length(TBL)(cm) during the first 5-8 weeks of life. Caloric and protein intakes were calculated. Results: Caloric and protein intakes were similiar in babies with and without BPD (111.5 vs 116.0 kcals/kg/day; 2.38 vs 2.51 g/kg/day). Conclusions: Growth is attenuated in babies receiving D for BPD. Growth in normal and non-D treated babies with BPD is similiar. Given adequate nutrition, BPD per se does not appear to compromise early post natal growth. Table
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