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Growth hormone treatment enhances nutrition and growth in children with cystic fibrosis receiving enteral nutrition.

OBJECTIVES: Impaired longitudinal growth and poor weight gain are common and important problems in children with cystic fibrosis. This study evaluates the hypothesis that adjunctive growth hormone (GH) therapy augments the growth response to nutritional supplementation. STUDY DESIGN: We recruited 18 prepubertal children who received enteral nutritional supplementation for at least 2 years before enrollment. Nine were randomly assigned to receive no GH for 1 year, followed by 1 year of GH. Nine were randomly assigned to receive 1 year of GH followed by a second year of GH. Measurements included height, weight, pulmonary function, lean tissue mass, bone mineral content, hospitalizations, outpatient antibiotic use, and caloric intake. RESULTS: Growth hormone resulted in significant improvement in height, weight, bone mineral content, lean tissue mass, and number of hospitalizations. Pulmonary function was similar at baseline. Absolute forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 minute significantly increased in GH treatment, but there was no significant change in percent predicted pulmonary function. Caloric intake was similar in both groups during both years. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that GH is a useful for enhancing growth in children with cystic fibrosis receiving enteral nutritional supplementation.

Blood Glucose↗

Carbohydrate-electrolyte solution effects on physical performance of military tasks.

BACKGROUND: Physical performance of military tasks can deteriorate during field training. HYPOTHESIS: Drinking a carbohydrate-electrolyte (CHO-E) beverage during military relevant training would improve fluid and caloric intake, and better sustain physical performance. METHODS: Some 27 volunteers restricted to approximately 2600 kcal.d-1 were randomly assigned to one of three groups: CHO-E, placebo, or water. Fluid intake was ad libitum. The volunteers completed 3 d of field training in hot humid conditions (30 degrees C, 60% rh). Training days 1 and 2 each included a 16-21 km march over hilly terrain, marksmanship training, and 2 h of rock climbing. Day 3 included a 14.5 km march followed by marksmanship tests, a timed rock climb and a 0.7 km uphill (21% grade) run. RESULTS: The CHO-E beverage provided an additional approximately 2800 kcal (p < 0.05) for the 3 d of training. There were no differences (ANOVA, p > 0.05) between the groups absolute or changes from pre-training values for fluid intake, body weight, climb time, run time, marksmanship, or mood. Those drinking CHO-E were, however, more likely to maintain uphill run performance after training (chi 2 = 7.2; p < 0.05) and more likely to maintain both uphill run and marksmanship ability (chi 2 = 17.2; p < 0.05). There was also an inverse relationship between caloric intake and deterioration of uphill run performance (r = -0.75; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Persons drinking CHO-E or practicing good food discipline are more likely to sustain physical performance than those eating only a portion of their food. CHO-E provides an accessible source of calories which can be advantageous when limited food is available or inadaquate food consumption is likely.

Adult↗

Loss of lean body and muscle mass correlates with androgen levels in hypogonadal men with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and wasting.

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) wasting syndrome (AWS) is a devastating complication of human immunodeficiency virus infection characterized by a disproportionate decrease in lean body mass. The pathogenesis of the AWS is unknown, but recent data suggest that endogenous secretion of the potent anabolic hormone, testosterone; is decreased in 30-50% of men with AIDS. However, it is unknown whether decreased androgen levels are associated with decreased lean body mass and/or functional decreases in muscle strength and aerobic capacity in hypogonadal men with the AWS. In addition, testosterone is known to have stimulatory effects on GH secretion, and the loss of these effects on the GH-insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis may be an additional mechanism of decreased lean body mass in this population. Twenty hypogonadal subjects (free-testosterone < 12 pg/mL) with weight loss > 10% of preillness weight or absolute weight < 90% ideal body weight (IBW) were enrolled in the study. None of the subjects were receiving Megace. Lean body mass and fat-free mass were determined by potassium-40 isotope analysis (40K) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, respectively, and analyzed with respect to gonadal function by linear regression analysis. Muscle mass was determined by urinary creatinine excretion, and exercise functional capacity was assessed by a 6-min walk test, a sit-to-stand test, and a timed get-up-and-go test. Results also were compared with gonadal function by regression analysis. IGF-I and mean overnight GH levels, determined from frequent sampling (q20 min from 2000-0800 h), were compared with results obtained from age- and sex-matched normal controls. Subjects were 26-58 yr of age (39 +/- 7 yr, mean +/- SD) with a CD4 cell count of 150 +/- 186 cells/mm3. Serum levels of FSH were elevated in 30% of the subjects. Muscle mass was significantly reduced, compared with expected mass for height (23.3 +/- 5.5 vs. 29.3 +/- 1.7 kg, P = 0.0001) and was decreased disproportionately to weight (77% of expected value for muscle mass vs. 93% of expected value for weight). Free-testosterone levels were correlated with total body potassium (R = 0.45, P < 0.05) and muscle mass (R = 0.45, P < 0.05). Total-testosterone levels were correlated with exercise functional capacity (R = 0.64, P = 0.01 for the sit-to-stand test and R = 0.53, P < 0.05 for the 6-min walk test). Mean GH levels were significantly increased (3.03 +/- 1.76 vs. 0.90 +/- 0.37 ng/mL, P < 0.001) and IGF-I levels decreased (167 +/- 66 vs. 225 +/- 69 ng/mL, P < 0.01), compared with age- and sex-matched eugonadal controls. GH levels were inversely correlated with caloric intake (R = -0.60, P = 0.02) and percent fat mass by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (R = 0.58, P = 0.02). Six additional hypogonadal subjects receiving Megace for AIDS wasting were analyzed separately. Nutritional status and parameters of body composition were compared in the Megace and non-Megace-treated subjects. No significant differences in caloric intake, lean body mass, fat mass, or muscle mass were demonstrated. These data demonstrate that changes in body composition, including loss of lean body and muscle mass, and deterioration in exercise functional capacity are highly correlated with androgen levels in hypogonadal men with the AWS. Furthermore, our data demonstrate significantly increased GH levels and decreased IGF-I in association with low weight in this population. These data suggest that androgen deficiency combined with classical GH resistance may contribute to the critical loss of lean body and muscle mass in hypogonadal men with the AWS. These data are the first to link muscle and lean body wasting with progressive gonadal dysfunction among the large percentage of men with AIDS wasting who are hypogonadal. This demonstrates the need for additional studies to determine the efficacy of gonadal steroid replacement to increase lean body mass in this population.

Adult↗

Suppression of rat hepatic microsomal cytochromes P450 by cyclophosphamide is correlated with plasma thyroid hormone levels and displays differential strain sensitivity.

Strain differences in cytochrome P450 (P450) expression were investigated in Sprague-Dawley (SDs) compared with Fischer 344s (F344s) rats after administration of cyclophosphamide (CPA). Animals received a single dose of CPA with sacrifice occurring 6 days post-treatment. At 130 mg/kg, male F344s displayed a greater sensitivity to CPA, as evidenced by a 68% loss of total hepatic microsomal P450 compared with only 35% in SDs. The most dramatic change in P450 was the loss of 2C11 (84% in F344s, 52% in SDs). In the SD, individual rat 2C11 activity was correlated (r2 = 0.76), with the level of plasma thyroxine in that animal. In male F344s administered CPA at 50 mg/kg, 43 and 44% losses in 2C11 activity (P < .05) and thyroxine (P < .01), respectively, were observed, whereas activities characteristic of P450s 2C11, 3A2, 2A2, 2C6 and 2E1/1A2 were unaffected in SDs at this dose. CPA also produced suppression of P450 in female SDs, including female-specific 2C12. Correlation was observed between the loss of P450 expression and change in body weight after treatment in both male and female animals, suggesting that CPA downregulates P450 expression secondary to decreased caloric intake. The anorectic effect of CPA is believed to result from potent central nervous system stimulation, accompanied by a state of adaptive hypothyroidism. It has been reported that CPA produces "feminization" of P450 expression in male rats. However, our findings suggest the alternative explanation that the effects of CPA on P450 expression result from decreased caloric intake.

Animals↗

Megestrol acetate in pediatric oncology patients may lead to severe, symptomatic adrenal suppression.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread use of megestrol acetate (MA) among a growing number of pediatric oncology departments, there is only one published study on the use of MA in children with malignant disease. The objectives of the current study were to examine the effect of MA in improving the nutritional status of children with malignant disease and to describe and consider the implications of MA-associated adrenal suppression that was found consistently. METHODS: Medical records of 19 children with malignant disease who were treated with MA were reviewed. During MA therapy, clinical assessments every 4 weeks included anthropometrics, caloric intake, quality-of-life scores, and appetite scores. Serum cortisol levels, lipid profiles (including cholesterol levels) random blood glucose levels, and coagulation screening were measured at 4-6-week intervals. RESULTS: MA use was associated with significant increases in weight, weight z score, middle-upper arm circumference, triceps skin-fold thickness, appetite, and caloric intake. MA was extremely useful in aiding the efficient tapering of nasogastric feeds. However, a significant and potentially dangerous decrease in cortisol was seen in 10 of 11 patients tested, with 1 patient who manifested clinical hypoadrenalism with hemodynamic collapse, requiring inotropic support. This is the first report of MA-associated clinical adrenal suppression in a child with malignant disease. CONCLUSIONS: Although the results of this study support the ability of MA to improve nutritional status, its use was complicated by severe adrenal suppression in almost all patients tested, with a serious clinical adverse event occurring in one patient. Routine hydrocortisone supplementation throughout MA treatment should be considered as well as larger doses for patients with acute illness and patients who undergo surgery.

Adolescent↗

Effects of conceptual age and dietary intake on protein metabolism in premature infants.

Protein turnover was studied in eight premature infants of conceptual age 26-37 weeks. A stochastic model based upon [15N]urea or [15N]ammonia excretion following a single injection of [15N]glycine was used to estimate rates of whole body protein synthesis and catabolism. The urinary 3-methylhistidine/creatinine ratio was determined to differentiate skeletal muscle protein breakdown from total protein catabolism. The rates of whole body protein synthesis ranged from 5.2 to 13.2 g X kg-1 X day-1 and protein catabolism ranged from 4.1 to 12.4 g X kg-1 X day-1. Linear regression analyses of conceptual age versus (a) whole body nitrogen flux, (b) protein synthesis, and (c) protein catabolism showed significant inverse relationships. A similar relationship obtained between conceptual age and the urine 3-methylhistidine/creatinine ratio. Muscle protein breakdown did not vary with conceptual age, but the fraction of whole body protein breakdown derived from muscle protein breakdown increased significantly with advancing maturation. The ratio net tissue protein gain/total body protein synthesis increased significantly with increasing body weight. Net tissue protein gain appeared to be directly related to protein and caloric intake. The ratio of the rate of whole body protein synthesis and protein intake was greatest in the youngest infants and declined with maturation. A similar relationship was not found between the ratio of protein synthesis and caloric intake and the degree of maturity. More than 90% of nitrogen entering the metabolic pool was used for protein synthesis and more than 50% of calories administered were similarly utilized. We conclude that: (a) protein turnover in premature infants is far more rapid than in term infants, children, or adults and is inversely related to conceptual age; (b) muscle protein turnover constitutes a greater fraction of overall turnover with advancing maturity; (c) energy and protein intake affect net tissue protein gain significantly in rapidly growing infants; and (d) the efficiency of protein synthesis as a function of protein intake is higher in the most immature infants.

Body Weight↗

Assessment of nutritional components in prolongation of life and health by diet.

Restricting the food intake of rodents extends the median length of life and the maximum life-span. It also retards most age-associated physiologic change and age-associated diseases. Our research indicates that the ability to retard disease processes is not the major reason for the extension of life-span or for the retardation of age change in most physiologic systems. Rather, it appears that most of the actions of food restriction are due to its ability to slow the primary aging processes. We found this action to relate to the restriction of calories rather than specific nutrients (e.g., protein or fat or minerals). Our findings point to the reduction in caloric intake per rat rather than per gram lean body mass as the basis of the retardation of aging processes by food restriction. The challenge is to learn how caloric intake per rat is coupled to the aging processes. We are currently focusing on the possibility that neural and endocrine mechanisms are involved. Our preliminary findings point to the likelihood of an involvement of the insulin-glucose system.

Animals↗

Is intestinal lengthening effective in treating extreme short bowel syndrome?

Our report concerns a child with short bowel syndrome who had 20 cm of small intestine distal to the pylorus (duodenum and jejunum) which remained after subtotal intestinal resection; the resection was necessitated by intrauterine volvulus with intestinal necrosis as a result of gastroschisis. In addition, only 25 cm of the colon remained. Despite continuous enteral nutrition with a semi-elementary diet and conservative therapy, it was not possible to provide within six months at least occasionally half of the caloric intake required on an enteral basis. In such cases treatment is usually discontinued. As final alternative to a small intestine transplantation, we conducted an operation to lengthen the intestine (method according to Bianchi) when the patient was 8 months old. The massively dilatated jejunum section of the intestine was lengthened from 20 cm to 37 cm. Postoperatively enteral caloric intake could be increased from 11 kJ/kg/m to 20 kJ/kg/m. Unfortunately, at 14 months of age, the child died from hepatobiliary complications arising from aggravation of the cholestasis and acidosis. This case shows, nevertheless, that intestinal lengthening had a positive influence on intestinal resorption.

Colostomy↗

Effect of neonatal caloric deprivation on head growth and 1-year developmental status in preterm infants.

The effects of neonatal illness and caloric intake on head growth velocity and on 1-year developmental outcome were studied in 73 appropriate (AGA) and small for gestational age (SGA) premature infants of (mean +/- SD) 30 +/- 2 weeks gestation who received intensive care during the neonatal period. Head growth from birth to 1 year of corrected age was characterized by a triphasic curve initiated by a period of growth arrest or suboptimal growth followed by a period of catch-up growth and terminated by a period of growth along standard curves. Head growth arrest or suboptimal head growth were directly related to the duration of the initial period of caloric deprivation (less than 85 kcal/kg/day) and to the duration of mechanical ventilation. Catch-up head growth was influenced by the duration of the preceding period of caloric deprivation in all infants and by the caloric intake during that phase only in SGA infants; catch-up growth was unrelated to the duration of mechanical ventilation. Head growth along standard curves occurred in all infants by 3 months of corrected age and persisted up to 1 year of corrected age. Infants calorically deprived the longest (AGA 4 to 6 weeks, SGA 2 to 3 weeks) had head growth along standards at curves below -1 SD on the growth chart; all other groups had this phase of head growth at curves between the mean and -1 SD. Infants calorically deprived for more than 4 weeks had developmental scores below normal ranges by 1 year of corrected age.

Birth Weight↗

[Experience in diet therapy of child obesity].

During the last 14 years 1620 children and adolescents, 806 boys and 814 girls, aged 2-20 yrs, were referred for overweight as outpatients to the Pediatric Endocrine Center of the University of Pavia. On first admission 170 (10%) of the 1620 subjects had a percent overweight of less than 20% referred to ideal weight for height; 350 (22%) patients with overweight ranging from 25 to plus 100 were lost to follow up. We report our dietary management on 1100 children with percent overweight between 25-120, treated for a period of at least 3 months to a maximum of 7 years (mean 3 yrs). All patients were provided with a physiological diet with an adequate or slightly reduced caloric intake for their height (P 15%, F 25%, C 60%). A regular physical activity was recommended to our patients. Before they started the diet patients kept a daily food diary for three days, which included recording information about what food was eaten, how it was prepared and the time at which it was consumed. Food recalls showed a higher caloric intake for height and age with fat and protein excess, especially of animal origin. A lot of snacks, particularly sweets, and soft drinks were consumed during the day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

[Dietary intake and healthcare use among the elderly--Maccabi Healthcare Services survey].

BACKGROUND: The world population is getting older and the percentage of elderly people (over 65 years old) in Israel (November 1999) is approaching 10%. Six percent of Maccabi Healthcare Services members are older adults. Elderly people are at risk for undernutrition due to chronic diseases, decreased physical and cognitive functioning. The present study aimed to assess the dietary intake of elderly people in Tel Aviv, members of Maccabi Healthcare Services, to evaluate their intake in relation to the recommendations, as well as to determine the association between the dietary intake and the use of medical care services. METHODS: A random sample of people over 70 years old, members of Maccabi Healthcare Services, were randomly selected and interviewed for their dietary intake using food frequency questionnaire. Additional questions were asked regarding lifestyle, health status and use of health care services. The interviews were conducted by trained interviewers from the surveys department of Maccabi Healthcare Services. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty eight people participated in the survey. Among them, 8% were consuming less than 800 calories per day and 33% less than 1200 calories per day. Over 40% of the participants had at least one chronic disease or condition and 19% had dental problems. Most of the participants (70%) visited their family physician at least once in the last 3 months, 71% visited at least one specialist in the last 6 months and 12% visited a dietitian. Over 90% of the interviewees eat 3 meals a day and over 50% participate in physical activity regularly. Significant negative association was shown between caloric intake and family physician office visits, No such association was shown for specialist office visits. CONCLUSIONS: Over 30% of the participants of this study have lower caloric intake. It seems that there is an increased need to improve the awareness of older people to the importance of nutrition for their health and quality of life. Larger and more detailed studies are needed to understand the scope of the problem.

Aged↗

The effect of alcohol on the choline requirement. I. Changes in the rat's liver following prolonged ingestion of alcohol.

Rats maintained for a period of 7 months on a fluid intake of 15 per cent alcohol and a diet marginal in lipotropic activity developed fatty infiltration and mild fibrosis of the liver. Similar changes were observed in pair-fed controls given an isocaloric equivalent of sucrose instead of alcohol, but not in pair-fed controls receiving neither alcohol nor sucrose supplements. To exclude the possibility that the alcohol effect was related to an augmentation of the caloric intake, a third group of controls was given the same amount of alcohol, but a limited number of calories. This was accomplished by subtracting from the basal diet an amount of sucrose equivalent in calories to the alcohol consumed. Under these conditions the hepatic changes following alcohol ingestion appeared to be enhanced. Choline or methionine, on the other hand, abolished the effects of both alcohol and sucrose supplements. There was no increase in fecal nitrogen excretion following alcohol ingestion, and no histological changes were observed in the pancreas. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that alcohol increases the choline requirement of the rat, but do not support the contention that this effect is the consequence of an augmented caloric intake. Further studies are needed to establish conclusively the relationship between alcohol ingestion and the choline requirement, and to elucidate the mechanisms involved.

Animals↗

Body mass index in essential tremor.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of essential tremor (ET) is unknown, but it could be neurodegenerative. Weight loss has been observed in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. OBJECTIVES: To compare body mass index (BMI) (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) in ET cases and controls and to determine whether BMI is correlated with tremor severity and duration. METHODS: Patients with ET were ascertained from the Neurological Institute of New York, New York, NY. Control subjects were recruited from 2 studies at the same institution. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. Dietary data were collected using a Willett Semi-Quantitative Food-Frequency Questionnaire. Tremor severity was assessed using a clinical scale and the Klove Matthews Motor Steadiness Battery. RESULTS: The 78 cases and 242 controls were of similar age. Mean (SD) BMI in cases vs controls was 26.5 (5.0) vs 28.2 (4.8) (P =.008). This difference remained significant in an unconditional linear regression analysis that adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, and years of education (P =.02). Mean daily caloric intake was similar in cases and controls. In cases, BMI was negatively correlated with both measures of tremor severity (r = -0.22; P =.05 and r = -0.24; P =.03) and with tremor duration (r = -0.22; P =.05). CONCLUSIONS: The BMI was lower in ET cases than in controls, and lower BMI was associated with disease of greater severity and longer duration. Caloric intake did not differ between groups, suggesting that lower BMI is not due to a reduction in calories. Lower BMI may be due to increased energy expenditure in ET.

Aged↗

Sequential intestinal lengthening procedures for refractory short bowel syndrome.

Better understanding of the long-term delivery of parenteral nutrition (PN) in neonates and children has increased the survival for patients who have neonatal short bowel syndrome. Most infants with short bowel syndrome experience progressive enteral adaptation and are weaned from PN. This report describes the authors' clinical experience with nine infants and children who had refractory short bowel syndrome; single or sequential procedures were performed to lengthen the small bowel. Gut lengthening procedures used included a small bowel nipple valve constructed distally, to provide temporary partial obstruction and thereby induce dilatation and lengthening of the proximal small intestine (six patients). Bianchi's technique was used in three patients primarily and in six others after the bowel had been dilated and lengthened by the nipple valve. Kimura's gut lengthening technique was used in one patient after the small bowel had spontaneously become dilated subsequent to a Bianchi procedure. In all, 16 lengthening procedures were performed on the nine patients. Preoperatively, the nine patients tolerated less than 10% of their caloric intake enterally, with no evidence of improvement for a minimum of 6 months. Small bowel segments ranged from 6 to 92 cm originally and were increased an average of 2 1/2 times the original length. Two patients have been totally weaned from PN. For the patients whose lengthening procedure was performed more than 1 year ago, the percentage of enteral caloric intake averages 50%. One of the patients was profoundly impaired neurologically and was not resuscitated from an apneic episode. Another patient died in his sleep of unknown causes 1 year after intestinal lengthening.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Enteral Nutrition↗

[Requeriments of macronutrients and micronutrients].

Critically ill patients have important modifications in their energetic requirements, in which the clinical situation, treatment applied and the time course take part. Thus, the most appropriate method to calculate the caloric intake is indirect calorimetry. When this test is not available, calculations such as Harris-Benedict's may be used, although not using the so high correction factors as previously recommended in order to avoid hypercaloric intakes. The intake of a fixed caloric amount (comprised between 25-30 KcalKg/min) is adequate for most critically ill patients. Carbohydrates intake must be of 5 g/kg/day) maximum. Glucose plasma levels must be controlled in order to avoid hyperglycemia. With regards to fat intake, the maximum limit should be 1.5 g/kg/day. The recommended protein intake is 1.0-1.5 g/kg/day, according to the clinical situation characteristics. Special care must be taken with micronutrients intake, an issue that is many times undervalued. In this sense, there are data to consider some micronutrients such as Zn, CU, Mn, Cr, Se, Mo and some vitamins (A, B, C, and E) of great importance for patients in a critical condition, although specific requirements for each one of them have not been established.

Critical Care↗

Growth and liver morphology after long-term ethanol consumption of rats.

Ethanol was administered to female and male Wistar rats by mixing it with their drinking water. Ethanol concentrations were gradually increased up to either 8% or 15%. Female rats receiving 8% ethanol in their drinking water consumed 5-13 g, males 4-10 g daily. The ethanol/total food caloric intake percentages were 13 to 20% and 9 to 15% for female and male rats, respectively. There was no difference in body weight and relative liver weight between treated rats and their controls. Female and male rats receiving 15% of ethanol in their drinking water consumed 8-14 g ethanol per kg body weight per day. The percentages of ethanol/total food caloric intake were stabilized at about 25% for both sexes. Growth of the rats differed only slightly from controls; a tendency for a higher increase of body weight of the control rats was found. No difference in relative liver weight between ethanol-treated and control rats was observed. Microscopic examinations revealed that the ethanol treatment resulted in fat accumulation in the liver cells. A proliferation of the Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER) was more marked in the 15% dosed rats than in the 8% dosed rats and more distinct in female rats than in male rats in both dosage groups.

Administration, Oral↗

Continuous insulin infusion in hyperglycaemic very-low-birth-weight infants receiving parenteral nutrition.

Continuous infusion of insulin was used to improve glucose tolerance in 30 premature (26.4+/-1.4 weeks) very-low-birth-weight (750+/-211.3 g) hyperglycaemic infants receiving parenteral nutrition. Infusion of insulin was started at 159.1+/-67 h of life; while glycaemia was 12.1+/-3.3 mmol/l. Normoglycaemia was restored within 31.4h (range 2-134 h). A maximum insulin dose of 0.4 (range 0.07-4.2)IU/kg/h was required to control the blood glucose, the mean cumulative doses of insulin required was 3.27 IU/kg (range 0.09-18.1). The mean glucose infusion rate during insulin treatment was 20.3+/-1.7 g/kg/day; lipid was 4.6+/-1.1 g/kg/day and non-protein caloric intake 121.7+/-16.5 kcal/kg/day. Infants reach 85 kcal/kg/day of non-protein energy intake at 179.5+/-71.2 h after birth. During continuous insulin infusion, enteral feeding was started in all infants at 124.9+/-75.8 h of life. Insulin was continued for 317.7+/-196.6 h. Only two infants lost weight during the first week of treatment, the remaining infant gained weight steadily. In conclusion, continuous insulin infusion can rapidly and safely improve intravenous glucose tolerance, allowing higher caloric intake and growth in very-low-birth-weight infants who develop hyperglycaemia during total parenteral nutrition.

Enteral Nutrition↗

Randomized clinical trials of weight reduction in nonhypertensive persons.

Since 1987, four randomized controlled clinical trials with 872 nonhypertensive subjects have produced results on weight-reducing interventions, involving decreased caloric intake and/or increased expenditure, for effects on blood pressure (BP). The Hypertension Prevention Trial maintained a 3.5-kg net weight loss through 36 months with intake reduction alone. This program decreased BP by 2.4/1.8 mm Hg (systolic/diastolic) compared to controls, but both weight loss and blood pressure changes were smaller when combined with decreased sodium intake. A Stanford University trial achieved weight losses of 7.4 and 5.1 kg over 12 months with diet and exercise, respectively. Effects on clinic BP were in the range of 1.5 to 3.0 mm Hg and did not differ by intervention approach. The sole trial in children, conducted at University of Michigan, found similar weight loss (about 7 kg) and BP effects from limiting caloric intake over 20 weeks, regardless of inclusion of an exercise program; the latter did, however, result in greater reductions in percent body fat, heart rate, and serum insulin levels. The Primary Prevention of Hypertension trial tested a multifactor intervention including reductions in weight (mean, 2.7 kg), sodium and alcohol intake, and increased physical activity. During a 5-year period, clinic BP was reduced by 2.0/1.9 mm Hg, and the incidence of hypertension, by 52%. It is concluded that weight loss, however achieved, lowers BP in overweight nonhypertensive persons, and probably can contribute substantially to reducing the incidence of hypertension. Whether there are independent effects additive to weight loss from increasing physical activity and reducing sodium intake remains unknown.

Blood Pressure↗