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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers

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Introducing solid foods to preterm infants in developed countries.

D J Palmer¹, M Makrides

¹School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia. dpalmer@meddent.uwa.edu.au

Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism

|May 5, 2012

Summary

Introducing solid foods to preterm infants requires careful timing. Starting nutrient-dense foods around 13 weeks corrected age balances nutritional needs with developmental readiness, minimizing risks like eczema.

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Area of Science:

Neonatal nutrition
Pediatric gastroenterology
Developmental pediatrics

Background:

Infants require solid foods for adequate nutrition as breast milk volume becomes insufficient.
Preterm infants (<37 weeks gestation) have unique needs including delayed development, higher nutritional demands, and immature organ systems.
Developmental readiness, such as head control, is crucial for safe solid food introduction.

Purpose of the Study:

To review current evidence on the optimal timing for introducing solid foods to preterm infants.
To balance the benefits of early nutrition with potential risks like eczema development.
To provide evidence-based recommendations for initiating complementary feeding in this population.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature, including randomized controlled trials and observational studies.
Analysis of data concerning nutritional status, growth, infection rates, renal function, and eczema development.
Consideration of corrected age and developmental milestones in preterm infants.

Main Results:

Early introduction (from 13 weeks uncorrected age) of nutrient-dense solids improved nutritional intake, iron status, and growth in one RCT.
No evidence of increased infection rates or reduced renal function maturation with early solid food introduction in developed countries.
Introducing 4+ solids before 17 weeks corrected age or any solids before 10 weeks corrected age was linked to increased eczema risk in one observational study.

Conclusions:

A compromise is needed to balance nutritional advantages with eczema risks and developmental readiness.
Approximately 3 months (13 weeks) corrected age appears appropriate for initiating nutrient-dense solid foods for most preterm infants.
Further research is essential for definitive, evidence-based guidelines on complementary feeding for preterm infants, focusing on short- and long-term outcomes.