Increase in Brain Volumes after Implementation of a Nutrition Regimen in Infants Born Extremely Preterm.

Objective To assess the effect of early life nutrition on structural brain development in two cohorts of extremely preterm infants, before and after implementation of a nutrition regimen containing more protein and lipid. Study design 178 infants were retrospectively included (median gestational age 26.6 wks, IQR 25.9 – 27.3), of whom 99 received the old nutrition regimen (cohort A, 2011-2013) and 79 the new nutrition regimen (cohort B, 2013-2015). Intake of protein, lipids and calories was calculated for the first 28 postnatal days. Brain MRI was performed at 30 weeks post-menstrual age (PMA) (IQR 30.3-31.4) and term-equivalent age (TEA) (IQR 40.9-41.4). Volumes of 42 (left + right) brain structures were calculated. Results Mean protein and caloric intake in cohort B (3.4 g/kg/day; p Conclusions An optimized nutrition protocol in the first 28 days of life is associated with temporarily improved early life brain volumes.