Abstract
Information on individual energy expenditure should help to meet the special and increased nutritional needs of VLBW. We evaluated the accuracy, precision and overall performance of a newly designed portable indirect calorimeter (DELTATRAC II, Datex, Helsinki, Finland) in 20 spontaneously breathing VLBW. Initial infant weight, age, and postconoeptional age were (means ± SD) 1,351 ± 250 g, 3.6 ± 2.8 wk, and 33.9±2.2 wk. Mean values for O2 consumption (VO2), CO2 production rate (VCO2), RQ, and energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry were (means ± SD) 7.5 ± 0.9 ml/kg/min, 7.4 ± = 0.8 ml/kg/min, 0.99 ± 0.06, and 59.6 ± 6.8 kcal/kg/d. Although the thermogenic effect of muscular activity on VO2 and VCO2 was clearly demonstrable, mean 24-hour VO2 and VCO2 did not differ from quiet periods. Measurements over 6 hours explained > 95% of the variance of 24 h. In 8 infants the 2H18O method was simultaneously applied. Isotope turnover rates of 18O, isotope dilution space of 18O as percentage of total body weight, ant VCO2 were (means ± SD) 0.246±0.021/d, 79.6±4.5%, and 7.6±1.1 ml/kg/min, VCO2 as estimated by indirect calorimetry and 2H18O method differed no more than 12% in any baby. In conclusion, individual energy expenditure can be reliably determined in VLBW by indirect calorimetry as well as by 2H18O method. Physical activity scores do not need to be recorded.
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Hoffmann, G., Janecke, A., Böhler, T. et al. 96 ENERGY EXPENDITURE IN VERY LOW BIRTHWEIGHT INFANTS (VLBW): INDIRECT CALORIMETRY VERSUS 2H18O METHOD. Pediatr Res 36, 18 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199407000-00096
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199407000-00096