Postnatal growth restriction and predictors of nutritional outcome in very low birth weight infants fed human milk and assisted by the Kangaroo Mother Care method

Abstract

Objetive: The study sought to determine the prevalence of postnatal growth restriction (PNGR) and the predictors of nutritional outcome in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in a maternity school between July 2005 and August 2006. One-hundred and twelve VLBW infants were assessed during hospitalization, fed unfortified human milk and assisted by Kangaroo Mother Care. The dependent variables included the number of days required to reach minimum weight and regain birth weight, the percentage of weight loss, and the deterioration of nutritional status. These parameters were converted into a factor termed “nutritional outcome” using factor analysis. Multiple linear regressions were used to identify predictors of nutritional outcome. Results: PNGR was observed in 89.3% of the infants at hospital discharge. The predictors of nutritional outcome were: appropriate-for-gestational-age infants, children of mothers aged ≤20 years old, need for mechanical ventilation, longer stays in the neonatal intensive care unit, and a greater number of days to achieve full enteral nutrition. Conclusion: It is important to know the factors that negatively influence the nutritional outcome of VLBW infants, as these can be modified through the improvement of perinatal care and can reduce PNGR.

Keywords::

• Growth
• human milk
• kangaroo mother care
• postnatal growth restriction
• very low birth weight infant

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the subjects and their families as well as those of their colleagues in Januário Cicco Maternity School, Department of Pediatrics and Postgraduate Program of Health Sciences at UFRN.

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.