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Optimizing growth in the preterm infant

Michael R Uhing1, Utpala G Das

  • 1Medical College of Wisconsin, Children's Corporate Center, Suite C410, 999 North 92nd Street, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. muhing@mcw.edu

Clinics in Perinatology
|January 24, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Most preterm infants with very low birth weight struggle with growth in the NICU. This review explores optimal growth, early nutrition, and feeding strategies for these vulnerable infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Intensive Care Medicine

Background:

  • Postnatal growth failure is common in very low birth weight preterm infants.
  • Nutritional support strategies are evolving to address this issue.
  • Despite advancements, optimal nutritional practices remain debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine controversies in nutritional support for preterm infants.
  • To discuss optimal postnatal growth velocity.
  • To review early aggressive nutritional support and enteral feeding transitions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current research and guidelines.
  • Analysis of existing data on nutritional interventions.
  • Discussion of unresolved questions in preterm infant nutrition.

Main Results:

  • Optimal growth velocity targets are debated.
  • Early aggressive nutritional support shows promise but requires careful monitoring.
  • Transitioning to enteral nutrition involves complex considerations.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is needed to establish definitive guidelines.
  • Individualized nutritional approaches are crucial for preterm infants.
  • Optimizing nutrition is key to improving outcomes for growth-failing infants.

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