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

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.