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Blood Urea Nitrogen Concentration as a Marker of Amino-Acid Intolerance in Neonates with Birthweight Less than 1250 g

Journal of Perinatology volume 25, pages 130–133 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Currently blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is commonly used as a marker of protein intolerance in very preterm infants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between amino-acid intakes and BUN concentrations during the early neonatal period in preterm neonates.

STUDY DESIGN:

Retrospective review of BUN concentration data from 121 infants with birthweight ≤1250 g receiving exclusive parenteral nutrition over the first 72 hours of life.

RESULTS:

There were 136 separate BUN concentration values. Amino-acid intake range was 0 to 3.7 g kg−1 day−1 and nonprotein calorie intake range was 15 to 45 kcal kg−1 d−1. There was no correlation between BUN concentration and amino-acid intake (p=0.2 and r2=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

In parenterally nourished preterm neonates amino-acid intake is not correlated with BUN concentration in the first days of life. Therefore, limiting amino-acid intake based on BUN concentration is not warranted in this patient population.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants RO3HD39842 and M01RR00069, General Clinical Research Center Program, National Centers for Research Resources.

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  1. Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, USA

    Erick Ridout MD, Diane Melara RN, Sarah Rottinghaus RN & Patti J Thureen MD

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  1. Erick Ridout MD
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Ridout, E., Melara, D., Rottinghaus, S. et al. Blood Urea Nitrogen Concentration as a Marker of Amino-Acid Intolerance in Neonates with Birthweight Less than 1250 g. J Perinatol 25, 130–133 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211215

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