Sex Related Nutritional Outcomes Among Preterm Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Abstract Objective: Sex-specific differences exist in morbidity and growth yet little is known about other nutritional outcomes in preterm very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. We aimed to determine the effect of sex on days to full enteral feedings and other nutritional outcomes.Study Design: This was a longitudinal 2-group comparison using secondary analysis of existing data of 314 infants born <32 weeks gestation and weighing <1500g. Information regarding nutritional outcomes was obtained from the infant’s EMR. Results: Males had higher direct bilirubin levels (p=0.04), more emesis (p=0.02), and more late-onset sepsis (p=0.04). Males weighed more at birth but not at 6-weeks and while the slope of weight increase over 6-weeks was higher in males (p=0.04), growth velocity was similar between sexes yet tended to be higher in females. Conclusion: Sex-specific differences in nutritional outcomes among VLBW infants may exist suggesting personalized nutritional support may improve health outcomes.