Background: Transthyretin (TTR) (Prealbumin) is a plasma protein regarded as a biochemical indicator of protein deficiency and nutritional status.
Objectives: Study how well TTR reflects preterm infants` nutritional status and growth.
Methods: 48 infants (Mean GA 32.8±3.0 weeks, BW 1813±559g.) were studied. Clinical course, growth and nutritional intakes were recorded; TTR was sampled from UC and on day 14 (D14-TTR) along with other labs.
Results: Mean D14-TTR levels were higher than UC-TTR (13.5±4.3mg/dL vs. 8.4±0.4mg/dL), and there were no differences between females and males (p=0.92). Mean D14-TTR was slightly (but not significantly) higher in intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) infants (15.3±6.5 vs. 13.1±3.4, p=0.35). The changes in TTR levels on D14 neither correlated with weight gain, nor did they correlate with other nutritional laboratory parameters. Although D14-TTR correlated with glucose and triglycerides levels, we could not find correlations to other metabolic indices, especially not to protein status. Although IUGR infants gained significantly more weight after 14 days (189±92g vs. 93±117g, p=0.02), this was not expressed in significant concomitant changes in TTR (6.1±7.9 vs. 4.4±3.9mg/dL, p=0.54). Infants who were fed mother`s milk only (even if fortified) gained less weight (74gr ±116g) compared to infants on formula (171±87g) or mixed feedings (159±112g), however no differences in TTR were found (p=0.76). As expected there was positive correlation between TTR and transferrin levels (p = 0.015).
Conclusions: We could not find significant correlations between TTR measurements and the nutritional status of preterm infants at birth or during their first weeks of life.
