Efficacy of oral L-carnitine in weight gain in preterm newborns. Double-blind, randomized controlled trial [Eficacia de L-carnitina viá oral en el incremento ponderal en recién nacidos prematuros. Ensayo clínico controlado aleatorizado doble ciego] Article uri icon

abstract

  • Introduction: In Mexico, it is estimated that eight to 10%25 of births are preterm newborns. Achieving adequate growth and development are one of the challenges of caring for premaÂtures, which is why supplementation of nutrients, such as levoÂcarnitine, is recommended. Objective: To assess the efficacy of oral levocarnitine in weight gain of prematures, compared with placebo. Material and methods: A randomized, double-blind controlled trial, compared with placebo, was carried out in a General Hospital, San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Patients weighing less than 1.8 kg were included, who had conditions to receive enteral feeding. The experimental group received 100 mg/kg/day of levocarnitine, and the control group 5%25 glucose solution. Weight gain (grams) at 7, 14 and 21 days, as well as length of hospital stay, were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with Chi-square and Student%27s t. Results: There were 32 prematures in the levocarnitine group and 28 in the placebo group. When analyzing the weight, the experimental group had an average weight gain of 167.8 g ± 54.97, 203.5 g ± 65.05 and 202.1 g ± 57.58, in the three weekly measurements. Which was higher (p <0.05) than in the control group: 143.4 g ± 60.32, 174.5 g ± 52.86 and 151g ± 44.58, respectively. In addition, the experimental group had fewer days of hospitalization, 15.5 ± 7.1 vs 18.1 ± 8.6. Conclusion: In preterm newborns without complications, the administration of oral levocarnitine is effective in improving weight gain and probably in reducing hospital stay. © 2020 Sociedad Mexicana de Pediatria. All rights reserved.
  • Introduction: In Mexico, it is estimated that eight to 10%25 of births are preterm newborns. Achieving adequate growth and development are one of the challenges of caring for premaÂtures, which is why supplementation of nutrients, such as levoÂcarnitine, is recommended. Objective: To assess the efficacy of oral levocarnitine in weight gain of prematures, compared with placebo. Material and methods: A randomized, double-blind controlled trial, compared with placebo, was carried out in a General Hospital, San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Patients weighing less than 1.8 kg were included, who had conditions to receive enteral feeding. The experimental group received 100 mg/kg/day of levocarnitine, and the control group 5%25 glucose solution. Weight gain (grams) at 7, 14 and 21 days, as well as length of hospital stay, were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with Chi-square and Student's t. Results: There were 32 prematures in the levocarnitine group and 28 in the placebo group. When analyzing the weight, the experimental group had an average weight gain of 167.8 g ± 54.97, 203.5 g ± 65.05 and 202.1 g ± 57.58, in the three weekly measurements. Which was higher (p <0.05) than in the control group: 143.4 g ± 60.32, 174.5 g ± 52.86 and 151g ± 44.58, respectively. In addition, the experimental group had fewer days of hospitalization, 15.5 ± 7.1 vs 18.1 ± 8.6. Conclusion: In preterm newborns without complications, the administration of oral levocarnitine is effective in improving weight gain and probably in reducing hospital stay. © 2020 Sociedad Mexicana de Pediatria. All rights reserved.

publication date

  • 2020-01-01