Evaluation of a modification of the nutrition policy on the frequency of extrauterine growth retardation in premature newborns between 2012 and 2014

Extrauterine growth restriction is associated with long-term effects on growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a change in nutritional policy on the postnatal growth of premature infants. Prospective observational study carried out between 01/01/14 and 31/12/14 in all newborns under 33 weeks GA admitted to the Bordeaux University Hospital after modification of the nutrition policy at the beginning of January 2014. This cohort was compared to a retrospective historical cohort of children born between 01/01/12 and 31/12/12. In the second period, the nutrient intakes received were evaluated and compared with the recent recommendations (ESPGHAN 2005, 2010, Nutritional care of preterm infant). The impact of EUGR was compared between the two populations. A total of 144 children were included: 66 in the 2012 cohort and 78 in the 2014 cohort. Their initial characteristics were similar. The moderate EUGR rate was 86.4 % in 2012 vs. 39.7 % in 2014 and the severe EUGR rate was 21.2 % in 2012 vs. 5.1 % in 2014. In 2014, half of the newborns had an energy deficit and two-thirds had a protein deficit at the end of the 6 weeks of hospitalization. This study shows that optimization of the nutrition policy can reduce the incidence of EUGR.