[Growth in preterm infants and its relationship with metabolic profile and diet].

Abstract

Background: Preterm birth is common, and it is associated with a high prevalence of growth retardation in the postnatal stage.

Objective: To evaluate the growth of preterm infants, their metabolic profile, and their differences according to the type of feeding.

Material and methods: Cross-sectional design in apparently healthy preterm infants. Weight, length, mid-arm circumference, and triceps skin fold were measured and the weight/age, length/age, and weight/length indices were calculated. Serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, and IGF-1 were measured. For statistical analysis, children with low weight and length at birth and at the time of evaluation (> -2 SD) were identified; anthropometric indicators and biochemical parameters were compared using Student's t test according to the type of feeding and low weight or length.

Results: Eighty premature infants were included, age 6.5 ± 1.7 months; at birth, 20 infants (25%) had low weight and 27 (33.8%) had low length; at the time of the evaluation, underweight increased to 42.7%. Anthropometric indices were lower in those with low birth weight or length (p < 0.05), with no differences by type of feeding. No differences in biochemical values were identified due to a history of low weight or length.

Conclusions: The frequency of weight and length deficits in this group of premature infants is high. Low weight or length at birth is associated with slower growth recovery and represents a greater risk for the presence of alterations in nutritional status.