Postnatal growth patterns of parenterally fed very-low-birth-weight infants

The purpose of this study was to examine the postnatal growth pattern of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants who were fed parenterally. A retrospective design was implemented. Chart review was the data collection method. A total of 166 VLBW infants without major genetic/chromosomal anomalies, marked fetal malnutrition, and who were not either small or large for gestational age or infants of diabetic mothers were included in this study. Five weight groups were categorized based on birth weight differences. Data were collected from the 8th day of life to a maximum of the 56th day of life or when the enteral intake met 66.7% of total caloric intake. The growth curves of the five groups were similar overall. This new parenterally-fed growth curve found a similar growth velocity to the other two enteral-fed growth curves, except for our infants who weighed less than 750 g.