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Refeeding syndrome in very-low-birth-weight intrauterine growth-restricted neonates

Journal of Perinatology volume 33, pages 717–720 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective:

Determine the incidence of refeeding syndrome, defined by the presence of hypophosphatemia in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) compared with those without IUGR.

Study design:

In this retrospective cohort study, VLBW infants admitted over a 10-year period (271 IUGR and 1982 non-IUGR) were evaluated for specific electrolyte abnormalities in the first postnatal week.

Result:

IUGR infants were significantly more likely to have hypophosphatemia (41% vs 8.9%, relative risk (95% confidence interval: 7.25 (5.45, 9.65)) and severe hypophosphatemia (11.4% vs 1%, 12.06 (6.82, 21.33)) in the first postnatal week. The incidence of hypophosphatemia was significantly associated with the presence of maternal preeclampsia in all VLBW infants (odds ratio (OR): 2.58 (1.96, 3.40)) when controlling for birth weight and gestational age.

Conclusion:

Refeeding syndrome occurs in VLBW infants with IUGR and born to mothers with preeclampsia. Close monitoring of electrolytes, especially phosphorus, is warranted in this population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina Children’s Hospital, Charleston, SC, USA

    J R Ross, C Finch, M Ebeling & S N Taylor

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  1. J R Ross
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  2. C Finch
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  3. M Ebeling
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  4. S N Taylor
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Correspondence to J R Ross.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Author contributions

Dr Julie Ross: conceptualized and designed the study, drafted the initial manuscript and approved the final manuscript as submitted. Ms Carolyn Finch: aided in design of the study, reviewed and revised the manuscript and approved the final manuscript as submitted. Ms Myla Ebeling: contributed to acquisition and statistical analysis of data and approved the final manuscript as submitted. Dr Sarah Taylor: mentored Julie Ross in study conception, supervised data collection and interpretation, critically reviewed the manuscript and approved the final manuscript as submitted.

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Ross, J., Finch, C., Ebeling, M. et al. Refeeding syndrome in very-low-birth-weight intrauterine growth-restricted neonates. J Perinatol 33, 717–720 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2013.28

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