Implementation of nutrition practice improves growth velocity and weight gain in premature infants ≤ 1250 grams

Background: The concept of parental nutritional care for premature infants has been applied and advanced over the past decade. This study compared the clinical outcomes before and after nutrition practice (NP) implementation and evaluated the effects of implementation on growth velocity and weight gain in premature infants. Methods: Descriptive data of premature infants (gestational age < 30 weeks; body weight ≤ 1250 g) born 4 years before and after NP implementation were retrospectively reviewed in a neonatal intensive care unit at a hospital in Taiwan. Nutrient intake, growth velocity, weight gain, and nutrition-related biochemical markers were compared at weeks 1, 2, and 4 after delivery. Results: A total of 77 premature infants were enrolled before NP implementation (non-NP group), whereas 89 were enrolled after implementation (NP group). The non-NP group consumed less fat and energy in week 1, and less protein, fat, and energy in weeks 2 and 4 compared with the NP group. Growth velocity was slower in the non-NP group. Fat intake was significantly positively correlated with body weight at week 4 in the non-NP group. However, protein and fat intake were significantly associated with body weight at week 1, fat and energy intakes were significantly associated with body weight at week 2, and fat intake was significantly associated with body weight at week 4 in the NP group. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the NP implemented in this study is relatively safe and can improve growth velocity and body weight gain in premature infants.