Energy Expenditure and Body Composition in Preterm Newborns with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia at Term Age

Abstract A cross-sectional study was carried out in a cohort of newborns with less than 32 weeks of gestational age. We aimed to evaluate and compare resting energy expenditure (REE) and body composition between newborns who did or did not develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The resting energy expenditure and body composition were assessed at the corrected term age using air displacement plethysmography. Anthropometric measurements (weight, head circumference, and length) were performed and transformed into Z-scores per the Fenton curve (2013) at birth and corrected term age. Forty-two newborns were included, of which 26.2% developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Newborns with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) had significantly higher energy expenditure at corrected term age, with no differences in body composition between the two groups. Conclusion: Newborns with bronchopulmonary dysplasia had higher resting energy expenditure at the corrected term, with no difference in body composition compared to those who did not develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia.