Impact of macronutrient supplements on later growth of children born preterm or small for gestational age: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials

<p></p><p>We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available evidence from published studies that explore the effects of macronutrient supplements given to preterm and small-for-gestational-age infant on their growth after hospital discharge. We found no evidence that early macronutrient supplementation for infants born small altered body mass index (BMI) in childhood. Although supplements appeared to increase weight and length in toddlers, effects were inconsistent and unlikely to be clinically significant. Limited data suggested that supplementation increased fat mass in childhood, but these effects did not persist in later life.</p> <p>The protocol of this study can be found on: <a href="https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=126918">https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=126918</a></p> <p>The findings are published at (to be added).</p> <p>Data and associated documentation of this study are available to other users under the data sharing arrangements provided by the Maternal and Perinatal Research Hub, based at the Liggins Institute, University of Auckland (<a href="https://wiki.auckland.ac.nz/researchhub">https://wiki.auckland.ac.nz/researchhub</a>). Researchers are able to use this information to request a de-identified dataset through the Data Access Committee of the Liggins Institute; contact address <a href="mailto:researchhub@auckland.ac.nz">researchhub@auckland.ac.nz</a>. Data will be shared with researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal and have appropriate ethical approval, where necessary, to achieve the research aims in the approved proposal. Data requestors will be required to sign a Data Access Agreement that includes a commitment to using the data only for the specified proposal, not to attempt to identify any individual participant, a commitment to secure storage and use of the data, and to destroy or return the data after completion of the project. The Liggins Institute reserves the right to charge a fee to cover the costs of making data available, if needed, for data requests that require additional work to prepare.</p> <p>Attached are the data extraction form template and the search strategies for the following database: OvidMedline, Embase, Cochrane Library Central Registry of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL CRSO).</p><p></p>