Aim: to evaluate the potential association of macronutrient intake in the first postnatal weeks on bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in extremely and very preterm infants.
Methods: fifty-eight extremely and very preterm infants were included. Daily macronutrient intake was calculated in g kg-1 day-1 from birth up to 36 weeks postmenstrual age. A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry whole body scan was used to assess BMC and BMD in preterm infants at term corrected age (TCA) and six months corrected age (CA).
Results: fat intake (g kg-1 day-1) in the first four postnatal weeks was positively associated with BMC and BMD at TCA. At six months CA, protein and fat intake (g kg-1 day-1) in the first weeks of life were both individual predictors for BMD. Fat intake (g kg-1 day-1) in the first four postnatal weeks was significantly associated with BMC at six months CA.
Conclusion: the association of macronutrient intake in the first postnatal weeks on BMC or BMD, at TCA and six months CA, suggest that early nutritional intervention immediately after birth and during early infancy is important for bone health in the first months of life.
Keywords: bone health; bone mineral content; bone mineral density; nutrition; preterm infants.