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[Parenteral nutrition in premature infants: practical aspects to optimize postnatal growth and development]

T Senterre1, J Rigo

  • 1Service de médecine et réanimation néonatales, université de Liège, CHU de Liège, CHR de la Citadelle, 1, boulevard du Douzième-de-Ligne, 4000 Liège, Belgique. Thibault.Senterre@chu.ulg.ac.be

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|July 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Parenteral nutrition is crucial for premature infants facing nutritional deficits and growth restriction. Optimizing this essential therapy can improve long-term outcomes for vulnerable newborns.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Intensive Care Medicine

Context:

  • Premature infants in neonatal intensive care often experience nutritional deficits and growth restriction.
  • Malnutrition in early life is linked to adverse long-term health outcomes.
  • Enteral feeding is frequently not feasible for immature newborns, necessitating parenteral nutrition.

Purpose:

  • To discuss the theoretical basis, current guidelines, and optimization strategies for parenteral nutrition in premature infants.
  • To highlight the challenges and variations in parenteral nutrition practices within neonatal units.
  • To emphasize the importance of timely and adequate nutritional support for very premature infants.

Summary:

  • Parenteral nutrition (PN) is vital for premature infants, providing essential nutrients when enteral feeding is not possible.
  • Current recommendations advocate for early PN initiation with specific caloric, amino acid, and lipid targets, increasing rapidly in the first week.
  • Significant heterogeneity exists in PN administration across neonatal units, indicating a need for standardized, optimized protocols.

Impact:

  • Optimizing parenteral nutrition can mitigate nutritional deficits and postnatal growth restriction in premature infants.
  • Improved nutritional strategies may lead to better neurodevelopmental and long-term health outcomes in adulthood.
  • Standardizing and enhancing parenteral nutrition practices can improve the standard of care in neonatal intensive care units.

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