Frontiers in Pediatrics (Nov 2024)
Thermal equilibrium as a predictor of growth efficiency in preterm infants
Abstract
IntroductionProviding adequate nutrition to preterm infants to achieve postnatal growth similar to intrauterine growth remains challenging due to the unpredictability of individual determinants.Material and methodsWe used a calculation program for infant incubators to compare the estimated heat balance with the caloric intake and growth rate in Very Low Birth Weight Infants (VLBWI).Results and discussionA group of 32 VLBWI was studied over a period of 14–28 days. An interrelationship between thermal equilibrium and growth rate was observed, with standardized incubator settings being unable to avoid periods of negative thermal balance and concomitantly poor growth rate.ConclusionDetermining personalized incubator settings by means of a calculation program could help improve nutrition and growth in preterm infants.
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