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. 2005 Feb;25(2):130-3.
doi: 10.1038/sj.jp.7211215.

Blood urea nitrogen concentration as a marker of amino-acid intolerance in neonates with birthweight less than 1250 g

Erick Ridout  1 , Diane Melara, Sarah Rottinghaus, Patti J Thureen
Affiliations

Blood urea nitrogen concentration as a marker of amino-acid intolerance in neonates with birthweight less than 1250 g

Erick Ridout et al. J Perinatol. 2005 Feb.

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 <or=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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