Open AccessEnteral Zinc Supplementation and Growth in Extremely‐Low‐Birth‐Weight Infants With Chronic Lung Disease
Author(s) -
Shaikhkhalil Ala K.,
Curtiss Jennifer,
Puthoff Teresa D.,
Valentine Christina J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.206
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1536-4801
pISSN - 0277-2116
DOI - 10.1097/mpg.0000000000000145
Subject(s) - medicine , bronchopulmonary dysplasia , enteral administration , birth weight , gestational age , weight gain , zinc deficiency (plant disorder) , pediatrics , gastroenterology , low birth weight , cohort , parenteral nutrition , zinc , pregnancy , micronutrient , body weight , biology , genetics , materials science , pathology , metallurgy
Objective: Zinc deficiency causes growth deficits. Extremely‐low‐birth‐weight (ELBW) infants with chronic lung disease (CLD), also known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, experience growth failure and are at risk for zinc deficiency. We hypothesized that enteral zinc supplementation would increase weight gain and linear growth. Methods: A cohort of infants was examined retrospectively at a single center between January 2008 and December 2011. CLD was defined as the need for oxygen at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. Zinc supplementation was started in infants who had poor weight gain. Infants' weight gain and linear growth were compared before and after zinc supplementation using the paired t test. Results: A total of 52 ELBW infants with CLD met entry criteria. Mean birth weight was 682 ± 183 g, and gestational age was 25.3 ± 2 weeks. Zinc supplementation started at postmenstrual age 33 ± 2 weeks. Most infants received fortified human milk. Weight gain increased from 10.9 before supplementation to 19.9 g · kg −1 · day −1 after supplementation ( P < 0.0001). Linear growth increased from 0.7 to 1.1 cm/week ( P = 0.001). Conclusions: Zinc supplementation improved growth in ELBW infants with CLD receiving human milk. Further investigation is warranted to reevaluate zinc requirements, markers, and balance.