Parenteral Nutrition Effect on Serum Insulin in the Preterm Infant
1 From the Neonatal Care Nursery, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, Princess Mary Maternity Hospital and Newcastle General Hospital; and Department of Medicine, The Medical School, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
Blood glucose and serum insulin levels were measured in two groups of preterm infants that had been matched for gestational age. Both groups were fed parenterally during the first 72 hours of life and were mechanically ventilated because of respiratory distress syndrome. Group A infants (n = 11) received 10% glucose (infusion rate 5 mg/kg/min) and group B infants (n = 12) received amino acid solution (1.2 g/kg/d) in addition to 10% glucose at the same rate as those in group A. Infants in both groups received 90 mL/kg of fluid per day. There was no difference in blood glucose or serum insulin levels between the two groups 24 hours after beginning the infusion; however, at 48 hours there was a significantly (P < .01) higher insulin level in infants receiving amino acid and glucose infusion compared with those receiving only glucose. Blood glucose level remained stable in both groups. We conclude that, in the stable preterm infant, the higher insulin level associated with continuous amino acid infusion does not result in hypoglycemia.
Key Words: preterm infant • continuous amino acid infusion • hyperinsulinemia • normoglycemia • parenteral nutrition • insulin
Submitted on May 19, 1986
Accepted on February 5, 1987
