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Protein for preterm infants: how much is needed? How much is enough? How much is too much?

William W Hay1, Patti Thureen1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, USA.

Pediatrics and Neonatology
|August 18, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants need more protein for optimal growth. Higher protein and amino acid intake supports better development and cognitive function in premature babies.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal nutrition
  • Pediatric gastroenterology

Background:

  • Preterm infants often receive insufficient protein for adequate growth in early postnatal life.
  • This deficit can lead to growth restriction, particularly in lean body mass, by the time of term-equivalent age.
  • Meeting intrauterine growth rates requires significantly higher protein intake than commonly provided.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review protein and amino acid requirements for optimal growth and development in preterm infants.
  • To highlight the role of protein intake in brain growth and cognitive function.
  • To discuss evidence supporting increased protein and amino acid nutrition.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on protein and amino acid requirements in preterm infants.
  • Analysis of data on protein balance in response to varying nutritional interventions.
  • Examination of the relationship between neonatal nutrition and long-term outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Protein requirements are high in early preterm infants (up to 4 g/kg/day at 24-30 weeks' gestation), decreasing towards term.
  • Adequate protein intake is crucial for cellular function, protein synthesis, and overall development.
  • Increased protein and amino acid provision has been shown to improve protein balance in preterm infants, with benefits observed up to 4 g/kg/day.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm infants require substantially higher protein and amino acid intake than typically provided to support normal growth and development.
  • Optimizing protein and amino acid nutrition is critical for brain development and cognitive outcomes.
  • Further research is needed to establish optimal intravenous and enteral feeding strategies for preterm infants.

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