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The nutrition of preterm infants

Mario De Curtis1, Jacques Rigo

  • 1Dipartimento di Pediatria e Neuropsichiatria Infantile, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.

Early Human Development
|January 21, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Optimizing nutrition for very low birthweight (VLBW) infants is crucial. Aggressive nutritional strategies, including high amino acid parenteral nutrition and fortified human milk, support growth and prevent extrauterine growth restriction.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Intensive Care Medicine

Background:

  • Very low birthweight (VLBW) infants often suffer from inadequate nutrient intake, leading to extrauterine growth restriction.
  • Traditional nutritional support may not meet the high demands for growth and development in VLBW infants.
  • Minimizing nutrient interruption at birth is essential for optimal neonatal outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and advocate for aggressive nutritional strategies in VLBW infants.
  • To highlight the importance of early and high amino acid supply.
  • To discuss the role of parenteral and enteral nutrition, including human milk fortification and specialized formulas.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on neonatal nutrition for VLBW infants.
  • Emphasis on parenteral nutrition when enteral feeding is not feasible.
  • Discussion of human milk fortification and alternative preterm formulas.

Main Results:

  • High amino acid supply from day one can prevent catabolism and promote anabolism.
  • Fortified human milk is recommended to meet nutrient needs and support bone mineralization.
  • Specialized cow's milk-based formulas are necessary when human milk is insufficient.

Conclusions:

  • Aggressive nutritional management, including early high amino acid intake, is vital for VLBW infants.
  • Optimizing nutrition through fortified human milk or preterm formulas supports growth and development.
  • Parenteral nutrition plays a critical role when enteral feeding is compromised.

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