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Protein and energy requirements in preterm infants
1Section of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, James Whitcomb Riley, Hospital for Children, 699 West Drive, Room RR 208, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5119, USA. sdenne@iupui.edu
Nutritional needs for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants are uncertain, with emerging data suggesting high energy and protein requirements for normal growth. Aggressive early nutrition is crucial for improving growth outcomes in these vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition
- Pediatric growth and development
- Intensive care medicine
Background:
- Established nutritional requirements exist for healthy, enterally fed infants.
- Nutritional needs for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants remain uncertain.
- ELBW infants exhibit high energy expenditure and protein losses, leading to growth failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current data on the nutritional requirements of ELBW infants.
- To establish recommended energy and protein intakes for promoting normal growth in ELBW infants.
- To emphasize the importance of early and aggressive nutritional support.
Main Methods:
- Review of emerging data on ELBW infant nutrition.
- Analysis of energy expenditure and protein losses in ELBW infants.
- Synthesis of available data to propose nutritional targets.
Main Results:
- ELBW infants demonstrate high energy expenditure and protein losses.
- Recommended energy intake: 125-130 kcal/kg/d.
- Recommended protein intake: 3.5-4 g/kg/d.
Conclusions:
- Achieving high nutritional intakes in ELBW infants presents clinical challenges.
- Aggressive early nutrition is essential for improving growth outcomes.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate optimal nutritional strategies for ELBW infants.
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