Objective: [corrected] The study sought to determine the prevalence of postnatal growth restriction (PNGR) and the predictors of nutritional outcome in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.
Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in a maternity school between July 2005 and August 2006. One-hundred and twelve VLBW infants were assessed during hospitalization, fed unfortified human milk and assisted by Kangaroo Mother Care. The dependent variables included the number of days required to reach minimum weight and regain birth weight, the percentage of weight loss, and the deterioration of nutritional status. These parameters were converted into a factor termed "nutritional outcome" using factor analysis. Multiple linear regressions were used to identify predictors of nutritional outcome.
Results: PNGR was observed in 89.3% of the infants at hospital discharge. The predictors of nutritional outcome were: appropriate-for-gestational-age infants, children of mothers aged ≤ 20 years old, need for mechanical ventilation, longer stays in the neonatal intensive care unit, and a greater number of days to achieve full enteral nutrition.
Conclusion: It is important to know the factors that negatively influence the nutritional outcome of VLBW infants, as these can be modified through the improvement of perinatal care and can reduce PNGR.