Postnatal growth of etiologically characterized preterm newborns according to gestational age at birth.

Objective: To examine the relationship between etiologically-based preterm birth sub-groups and early postnatal growth according to gestational age at birth.

Methods: Prospective, multinational, cohort study involving 15 hospitals that monitored preterm newborns to hospital discharge. Measures/exposures: maternal demographics; etiologically-based preterm birth sub-groups; very, moderate and late preterm categories, and feeding.

Pooling Strategies to Modify Macronutrient Content of Pasteurized Donor Human Milk.

Donor human milk (DHM) is the recommended feeding for preterm infants when mother's own milk is unavailable or insufficient. DHM macronutrient's variability may have significant implications on preterm growth. Different pooling strategies could be used to improve the macronutrient content, facilitating the achievement of nutritional requirements of preterm.

Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Reduce the Severity of Experimental Necrotizing Enterocolitis in a Concentration-Dependent Manner.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating gut disease in preterm neonates. In NEC animal models, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) administration has reduced the incidence and severity of NEC. We developed and characterized a novel mouse model of NEC to evaluate the effect of human bone marrow-derived MSCs (hBM-MSCs) in tissue regeneration and epithelial gut repair.

Pregnancy outcomes and vaccine effectiveness during the period of omicron as the variant of concern, INTERCOVID-2022: a multinational, observational study.

Background: In 2021, we showed an increased risk associated with COVID-19 in pregnancy. Since then, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has undergone genetic mutations. We aimed to examine the effects on maternal and perinatal outcomes of COVID-19 during pregnancy, and evaluate vaccine effectiveness, when omicron (B.

Neonatal intestinal failure: Growth pattern and nutrition intakes in accordance with weaning from parenteral nutrition.

Background: Short bowel syndrome is the most common cause of intestinal failure (IF) in infants. We aimed to evaluate growth, nutrition intakes, and predictors of weaning from parenteral nutrition (PN) of infants with IF.

Methods: Clinical parameters, nutrition intakes, body weight and length z-scores were compared monthly from the 1st to 12th and at 18 and 24 months among infants receiving PN and those weaned.

Don't Forget the Bones: Incidence and Risk Factors of Metabolic Bone Disease in a Cohort of Preterm Infants.

Metabolic bone disease of prematurity (MBD) is a condition of reduced bone mineral content (BMC) compared to that expected for gestational age (GA). Preterm birth interrupts the physiological process of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) deposition that occurs mostly in the third trimester of pregnancy, leading to an inadequate bone mineralization during intrauterine life (IUL). After birth, an insufficient intake of Ca and P carries on this alteration, resulting in overt disease.

Effects of prenatal exposure to maternal COVID-19 and perinatal care on neonatal outcome: results from the INTERCOVID Multinational Cohort Study.

Background: The effect of COVID-19 in pregnancy on maternal outcomes and its association with preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus have been reported; however, a detailed understanding of the effects of maternal positivity, delivery mode, and perinatal practices on fetal and neonatal outcomes is urgently needed.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on fetal and neonatal outcomes and the role of mode of delivery, breastfeeding, and early neonatal care practices on the risk of mother-to-child transmission.

Study Design: In this cohort study that took place from March 2020 to March 2021, involving 43 institutions in 18 countries, 2 unmatched, consecutive, unexposed women were concomitantly enrolled immediately after each infected woman was identified, at any stage of pregnancy or delivery, and at the same level of care to minimize bias.

Incidental occurrence of neutropenia in children hospitalised for COVID-19.

Background: Investigations on haematological alterations in paediatric COVID-19 have been focused mostly on lymphocytes and clotting profiles. Neutropenia has been occasionally reported and its course and impact on the disease have not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology, course, and impact of neutropenia in children with COVID-19 hospitalised in a tertiary care referral paediatric ward.

Energy Expenditure, Protein Oxidation and Body Composition in a Cohort of Very Low Birth Weight Infants.

Unlabelled: The nutritional management of preterm infants is a critical point of care, especially because of the increased risk of developing extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR), which is associated with worsened health outcomes. Energy requirements in preterm infants are simply estimated, so the measurement of resting energy expenditure (REE) should be a key point in the nutritional evaluation of preterm infants. Although predictive formulae are available, it is well known that they are imprecise.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and body composition of breast-feeding mothers: the potential role of unsaturated fatty acids.

A paucity of evidence is available regarding the impact of diet's quality during pregnancy and lactation on the body composition of breast-feeding mothers. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the association between maternal degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and body composition measures specifically those relating to body fat, in the lactation period. A cross-sectional study on healthy mothers of full-term babies has been conducted.

The indirect calorimetry in very low birth weight preterm infants: An easier and reliable procedure.

Objectives: Preterm infants are at increased risk of developing extrauterine growth restriction, which is associated with worse health outcomes. The energy needs are not well known, as the measurement of resting energy expenditure (REE) using indirect calorimetry has critical issues when applied to infants. One of the main issues is the time required to obtain reliable data owing to the difficulty in keeping infants quiet during the entire examination.

New Insights in Preterm Nutrition.

Nutrition of preterm infants has a crucial role in the promotion of organ's optimal growth and development [...

Complementary Feeding in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review.

Background: This systematic review summarizes available literature regarding complementary feeding (CF) in preterm infants, with or without comorbidities that may interfere with oral functions.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Studies relating to preterm infants (gestational age <37 weeks) were included in the analysis.

Analysis of immune, microbiota and metabolome maturation in infants in a clinical trial of Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74-fermented formula.

Mother's milk is the best choice for infants nutrition, however when it is not available or insufficient to satisfy the needs of the infant, formula is proposed as an effective substitute. Here, we report the results of a randomized controlled clinical trial (NCT03637894) designed to evaluate the effects of two different dietary regimens (standard formula and Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74-fermented formula) versus breastfeeding (reference group) on immune defense mechanisms (primary endpoint: secretory IgA, antimicrobial peptides), the microbiota and its metabolome (secondary outcomes), in healthy full term infants according to the type of delivery (n = 13/group). We show that the fermented formula, safe and well tolerated, induces an increase in secretory IgA (but not in antimicrobial peptides) and reduces the diversity of the microbiota, similarly, but not as much as, breastmilk.

Protein Intakes during Weaning from Parenteral Nutrition Drive Growth Gain and Body Composition in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants.

Weaning from parenteral to enteral nutrition is a critical period to maintain an adequate growth in very low birth weight preterm infants (VLBWI). We evaluated the actual daily nutritional intakes during the transition phase (TP) in VLBWI with adequate and inadequate weight growth velocity (GV ≥ 15 vs. GV < 15 g/kg/day).

Effect of Target Fortification on Osmolality and Microbiological Safety of Human Milk Over Time.

Objectives: The fortification of human milk can result in increased osmolality, which may be associated with adverse effects for preterm infants. To evaluate the effect of target fortification on the osmolality and microbiological safety of donor human milk and raw mature milk during the first 72 hours of storage.

Methods: We performed target fortification of 63 pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) and 54 raw mature milk (RMM) samples in a laminar flow hood.

How does gestational age affect growth and body composition of preterm twins?

Background: Twins experience altered growth compared to singletons. The primary aim of this study was to compare growth and body composition (BC) of twin and singleton preterm infants from birth to 3 months according to gestational age (GA). Secondary aims were to evaluate the effect of chorionicity and mode of feeding on twins' BC.

Macronutrient content of pooled donor human milk before and after Holder pasteurization.

Background: Donor human milk (DHM) is the best alternative for preterm infants when their own mother's milk is unavailable. DHM should be pasteurized to guarantee microbiological safety; however, this process can influence the macronutrient content. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Holder pasteurization (HoP) on DHM macronutrient content.

The Effect of Human Milk on Modulating the Quality of Growth in Preterm Infants.

Human milk is the optimal nutrition for preterm infants. When the mother's own milk is unavailable, donor human milk is recommended as an alternative for preterm infants. The association among early nutrition, body composition and the future risk of disease has recently attracted much interest.

Effects of early intervention on feeding behavior in preterm infants: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Although highly beneficial, human milk feeding is challenging in preterm infants due to adverse NICU factors for the infant and mother.

Aim: To investigate the effects of an early intervention in promoting infant's human milk feeding and acquisition of full oral feeding.

Methods: This study is part of a RCT.

Correction to: Clinical evaluation of two different protein content formulas fed to full-term healthy infants: a randomized controlled trial.

Following the publication of the original article [1], it was brought to our attention that the authors' names and surnames were erroneously interchanged.

Protein use and weight-gain quality in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants fed human milk or formula.

Background: Nutritional management of preterm infants aims to approximate the tissue growth and body composition of a fetus of the same postmenstrual age. The adequacy of the quality of protein supply can influence the rate and the relative quality of weight gain.

Objective: We investigated the protein balance according to feeding regimen and the association between human milk feeding and fat-free mass content at the term-corrected age in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants.

Clinical evaluation of two different protein content formulas fed to full-term healthy infants: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: A high early protein intake is associated with rapid postnatal weight gain and altered body composition. We aimed to evaluate the safety of a low-protein formula in healthy full-term infants.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted.

Can Basic Characteristics Estimate Body Composition in Early Infancy?

Objectives: Increasing evidence demonstrates that body composition in early life contributes to the programming of health later in life in both full-term and preterm infants. Given the important role of body composition, the increased availability of easy, noninvasive, and accurate techniques for its assessment has been recommended. The aim of the present study was to identify basic characteristics and anthropometric measurements that best correlate with body composition in infants.