Body composition of preterm newborns fed with protein enriched diet compared with nearterm newborns

Early nutrition and care in the neonatal intensive care have significant impact on both physical and neurological development of preterm newborns. Ideally preterms should achieve a growth rate similar to intrauterine growth rate, and the nutrition should be organized to reach this goal. However there is increasing body of evidence showing that the preterm nutrition leads to excess fat deposition.In this study skinfold thickness (SFT) of preterm newborns born at ? 32 weeks gestation was measured to assess subcutaneous fat deposition, together with other anthropomoteric measurements and the values were compared with those of near terms of the same gender. The correlation of the measurements and the rate of increase in anthropometric parameters with gender and nutrition was also assessed.Thirty seven preterm newborns ? 32 weeks gestation were fed preterm style including enriched protein and adequate calories, had weekly measurements and when reached 34, 35, 36 weeks postconception the values were compared with those who were born near term at 34, 35 or 36 weeks (94 newborns) who received regular feeding.SFT reflecting fat deposition at 34, 35, 36 weeks corrected age was higher in preterms compared to near terms born at 34, 35, 36 weeks despite weight, length and head circumference were similar between groups. With regards to gender the anthropometric measurements except SFT were found to be greater in preterm boys compared to preterm girls. Fat deposition in preterm girls was not as strikingly high as reported in the literature. The rate of increase in the measurements were not significantly correlated with caloric and protein intake except for a few parameters. In preterm boys significant correlation was found between anthropometric measurements and caloric intake, whereas in girls both caloric and protein intake had significant impact on measurements. These results suggest that for optimal feeding regimen in preterms to achieve the intrauterine growth rate but at the same time avoid excessive fat deposition more studies including larger number of patients are required. The quality of the nutrients and the quantity of the calory and protein supplied to this vulnerable population should be investigated.Key Words: Preterm, skinfold thickness, fat tissue