Amino Acid and Acylcarnitine Profiles in Premature Neonates

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Primary Hypotheses of the study include: Metabolic profiles are influenced by gestational age, chronological age, type and degree of nutritional support and illness Metabolic profiles differ between neonates who receive commercial formula and neonates who receive primarily human breast milk Neonates who develop parenteral associated cholestasis have metabolic markers that identify at risk patients (high serum urea nitrogen, citrulline, histidine, methionine, and succinyl carnitine and low thyroxine, serine and glutamate) Neonates that have hypothyroidism have abnormal metabolic profiles (low tyrosine levels)

Detailed Description
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Malnutrition is a common problem in the neonatal intensive care unit. Recent studies indicate that prematurely born neonates commonly develop a severe nutritional deficit during the first weeks after birth, referred to as extrauterine growth restriction. Despite an increase in growth during the second month of hospitalization, many neonates are ultimately discharged home having grown inadequately. The early nutritional deficit affects weight gain as well as growth in length and head circumference. Aggressive administration of parenteral amino acids to improve protein accretion rates in very preterm neonates has been supported in the literature. Although tolerance of high dose amino acids has been described, researchers acknowledge that sensitive tests to monitor amino acid toxicity are not readily available in the clinical setting. The goals of this study are: To better define normal amino acid and acylcarnitine values and how they change in premature neonates To measure the effect nutritional support has (human breastmilk vs. formula) on amino acid and acylcarnitines profiles To measure the effect of illness (parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis) on amino acid and acylcarnitine profiles To better define abnormal metabolic profiles (low tyrosine levels) in neonates that have hypothyroidism.

Official Title
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How Illness and Nutritional Support Influence Amino Acid and Acylcarnitine Profiles in Premature Neonates

Conditions
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Prematurity, Neonatal Screening, Parenteral Nutrition

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria Documentation of informed consent Inborn Less than or equal to twenty four (24) hours of age Gestational age between twenty three (23) weeks and 0/7 days and thirty one (31) weeks and 0/7 days as per the best estimate by the neonatologist If subject is transferred to another hospital, the ability to obtain follow-up data on outcomes No known major anomalies (inborn error of metabolism, chromosomal abnormalities, cyanotic congenital heart disease, gastroschisis, omphalocele, diaphragmatic hernia or other major gastrointestinal anomalies, major neurological injury or anomaly, and multiple congenital anomalies) Exclusion Criteria Outborn (transferred for intensive care from another hospital) Greater than twenty four (24) hours of age Gestational age < 23 weeks or > 31 weeks Any known major congenital anomalies

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 23 Weeks
Maximum Age: 31 Weeks

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Metabolic Profile - Serum amino acid, acylcarnitine and thyroxine levels. Day of birth, (first 24 hours), Day 7, (parenteral nutrition effect), Day 28, (enteral nutrition effect), Day 42, or discharge (established enteral feeding and growth) |  | 42 Days of Life | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Occurrence of any of the following: death, cholestatic liver disease, positive blood or CSF culture, NEC, IVH, or respiratory support at 36 weeks PMA. |  | 42 Days of Life | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Prematurity, Neonatal screening, Parenteral nutrition, Amino acids, Acylcarnitine