Nutrition Delivery and Growth Outcomes in Infants With Gastroschisis.

BACKGROUND

We aimed to describe nutrient intake and growth in infants with gastroschisis and identify factors associated with impaired growth.

METHODS

Retrospective study of neonates who underwent gastroschisis repair from 2010 to 2015. Nutrient intake and weight-for-age z scores (WAZ) were recorded.

RESULTS

Data from 60 eligible infants with median (Q1, Q3) gestational age of 36 weeks (35, 37) and birth weight 2418 g (2098, 2665) were analyzed. Median WAZ decreased from -0.71 (-1.08, -0.17) at birth to -1.08 (-1.58, -0.63) at discharge (P < .001); 30% experienced a >1.0 decline in WAZ. Parenteral nutrition (PN) was initiated soon after birth, and 14 (23%) patients had severe intestinal failure. Fourteen patients (23%) experienced central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) at a rate of 5.0 per 1000 catheter days. Factors independently associated with lower discharge WAZ and greater WAZ decline were CLABSI (P = .02) and prematurity (P = .02). By day 7, energy and protein intake were 90-100 kcal/kg/day and 3 g/kg/day, respectively. Median age to achieve enteral autonomy was 36 days (22, 82). Atresias, CLABSI, prematurity, and staged closure were associated with delayed enteral autonomy (P < .01). Among 34 patients with 1-year follow-up, WAZ improved from -1.16 (-1.74, -0.65) at discharge to 0.19 (-0.80, 0.61) at 12 months (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Infants with gastroschisis are dependent on PN and have a significant decline in WAZ during their hospital stay, predicted by prematurity and CLABSI. Efforts to prevent CLABSI and optimize enteral autonomy must be prioritized in this cohort.