Abstract
Background
Hypothesis: neuromotor development correlates to body composition over the first year of life in prematurely born infants and can be influenced by enhancing motor activity.
Methods
Forty-six female and 53 male infants [27 ± 1.8 (sd) weeks] randomized to comparison or exercise group (caregiver provided 15–20 min daily of developmentally appropriate motor activities) completed the year-long study. Body composition [lean body and fat mass (LBM, FM)], growth/inflammation predictive biomarkers, and Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) were assessed.
Results
AIMS at 1 year correlated with LBM (r = 0.32, p < 0.001) in the whole cohort. However, there was no effect of the intervention. LBM increased by ~3685 g (p < 0.001)); insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was correlated with LBM (r = 0.36, p = 0.002). IL-1RA (an inflammatory biomarker) decreased (−75%, p < 0.0125). LBM and bone mineral density were significantly lower and IGF-1 higher in the females at 1 year.
Conclusions
We found an association between neuromotor development and LBM suggesting that motor activity may influence LBM. Our particular intervention was ineffective. Whether activities provided largely by caregivers to enhance motor activity in prematurely born infants can affect the interrelated (1) balance of growth and inflammation mediators, (2) neuromotor development, (3) sexual dimorphism, and/or (4) body composition early in life remains unknown.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank Ms. Julia Rich for her dedication to the enrollees in her capacity as clinical study coordinator. This study was financially supported by NIH NHLBI R01HL110163, NCATS UL1 TR001414, and The NIH Office of Women’s Health.
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D.M.C., G.L.G., S.R.-A., N.D., C.T.L., and B.K. conceptualized and designed the study, drafted the initial manuscript, and reviewed and revised the manuscript. F.H. and F.Z. supervised biomarker mediator laboratory analysis and reviewed and revised the manuscript. A.S. was responsible for the statistical design and analysis. I.A. and A.S. coordinated study participant selection and recruitment and critically reviewed the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
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G.L.G. is a co-author of the TIMP and a partner in Infant Motor Performance Scales, LLC, publisher of the TIMP. The other authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article to disclose.
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Cooper, D.M., Girolami, G.L., Kepes, B. et al. Body composition and neuromotor development in the year after NICU discharge in premature infants. Pediatr Res 88, 459–465 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-020-0756-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-020-0756-2
