Effects of different timing nutritional support on the growth and development < 2 kg newborns and mothers' anxiety and depression.

Abstract

Background: Newborns with low-birth-weight may lag behind those with normal-birth-weight in terms of growth, development, and nutritional status, which increases mothers' concerns about the child's future health and leads to anxiety and depression. Providing nutritional support to newborns with low-birth-weight to facilitate optimal growth and development may help alleviate maternal anxiety and depression.

Aim: To explore the effects of nutritional support timing on the growth and development of newborns born under 2 kg and their mothers' anxiety and depression.

Methods: A total of 64 newborns born under 2 kg and their mothers who received treatment at the neonatology department of Suzhou Ninth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2023 to October 2024 were selected and retrospectively evaluated. Newborns were then divided into the following two groups according to the start time of enteral nutrition support: Group S (32 cases, receiving enteral nutrition support within 24 hour of birth) and Group L (32 cases, receiving enteral nutrition support after 24 hour of birth). Thereafter, we compared the baseline data, as well as the milk intake and total bilirubin (TBIL) values, between the two groups at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after nutritional support. We also compared the occurrence of adverse digestive reactions (vomiting, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and residual symptoms), complications (neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis and infection), growth and development indicators (weight, length, and head circumference) before and after nutritional support between the two groups of patients, as well as their mother's anxiety [evaluated using the Self Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS)] and depression [evaluated using the Self Rating Depression Scale (SDS)].

Results: No significant difference in baseline data was observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). Milk intake and TBIL levels in Group S were significantly better than those in Group L at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after nutritional support (P < 0.05). No significant differences in vomiting, abdominal distension, constipation, diarrhea, and residual adverse reactions were observed between the two groups during nutritional support (P > 0.05). Group S had a significantly reduce of fewer complications (i.e., neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis and infection) than did Group L during nutritional support (P < 0.05). Before nutritional support, no significant differences in developmental indicators (weight, length, and head circumference) were noted between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, after nutritional support, the weight, length, and head circumference of both groups were higher than those before intervention, with Group S having significantly higher values than did Group L (P < 0.05). Mothers of children who received nutritional support had decreased SAS and SDS scores, with Group S mothers having significantly lower scores than did Group L mothers (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Enteral nutrition support had significant effects on newborns weighing < 2 kg within 24 hours of birth. In particular, it promoted the maturation of gastrointestinal function, enhanced nutrient absorption, promoted optimal short-term growth and development, and alleviated the mother's anxiety and depression.