Multicenter Study Of The Nutritional Status Of Premature Infants In Nicu In China

Objective:To study the nutritional status of premature infants who were in early stage of life at the different areas in China and the effects of high risk factors on their growth.Methods:Data of premature infants of10hospitals were retrospectively collected, including their complications and treatment, nutrition support, growth velocity, from Jan1,2005to Jun30,2006.The risk factors which resulted in growth retardation of premature infants were identified.Results:A total of1000premature infants were enrolled in our study and finally the data of974premature infants was eligible. Of974premature infants mean gestational age was32.8±2.0weeks and mean birth weight was1794.9±449.5g at birth.378premature infants<32weeks of gestational age and285premature infants were<1500g of birth weight. Mean time of initial enteral feeding was2.84±2.13day of life,77%of premature infants were fed with the formulas for low birth weight and13.6%of premature infants were fed by human milk mixed with the formulas for low birth weight. For parenteral nutrition amino acid solutions were administered in87.3percent of premature infants and Mean time to begin was3.1±2.1day of life, lipid emulsions were supplied in56.9%of premature infants and Mean time to begin was4.3±3.2day of life. During hospitalization there were74.1%of premature infants whose total energy intake reached recommendations of120kcal/kg/d and mean time to reach recommendations was16.3±9.4day of life,84.1%of premature infants whose energy intake of enteral feeding reached100kcal/kg/d and mean time to achieve was17.0±9.4day of life. Lower was gestational age of premature infants longer the time achieving these goals was and the differences were obvious among10hospitals. Mean loss of weight was7.54±4.7%of birth weight in the first days of life and the day of life when infants regain to birth weight was10.92±5.1days. Mean growth velocity after regaining to birth weight during hospitalization was13.4±6. Og/kg. d and mean Length of hospital stay was26.4±12.9days. The growth parameters of infants were evaluated with their adjusted gestational age on discharge. There were60%,58.9%,29.5%of infants for weight, length and head circumference respectively, who had values<10th percentile and the percentages were heighten by32.7,30.9and10.2respectively compared with those at birth.Conclusions:The nutritional status of premature infants in China during hospitalization is series.Difference of nutrition support strategy between hospitals is obvious. Less than10th percentile in birth weight, later introduction of enteral feedings and slower growth velocity during hospitalization were risk factors for postnatal growth retardation of premature infants. The aggressive nutrition support strategy will be important for improving the nutritional status and development of premature infants in China.