Abstract
Energy requirements are partitioned between needs for maintenance (including resting metabolism, thermoregulation and muscular activity), and needs for synthesis of, and storage in, new tissue. The partition of energy utilization was evaluated by 34 metabolic and nutritional balance studies in 19 growing very low birth-weight(VLBW) infants(birth wt: 1140±30g; study wt: 1390±50g; age: 24±2d). Continuous open circuit indirect calorimetry was performed for periods of 6±0.25 hrs. in a thermoneutral environment. Results are expressed as mean ± SE Kcal/kg.d and as a percentage of energy intake.
These results provide a reference standard for the breakdown of energy utilization in VLBW infants under thermoneutral conditions. Increased activity due to e.g. handling, blood sampling, and a thermal environment outside the neutral range will increase maintenance energy requirements, thus decreasing the amount of energy available for growth if energy intake remains constant.
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Reichman, B., Chessex, P., Putet, G. et al. 1403 PARTITION OF ENERGY METABOLISM IN THE VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANT. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 677 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01432
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01432