Feeding the preterm infant after discharge
1Paris Descartes University, APHP Necker Hospital, Paris, France and CNRC, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex., USA.
Insights
Discharge formulas for preterm infants are questioned. Focus on human milk, addressing nutrient deficits, and avoiding over-nutrition to optimize growth post-hospitalization.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition
- Pediatric gastroenterology
Background:
- Very preterm infants require enhanced nutritional support for improved survival and quality of life.
- Early hospital discharge for preterm infants is common, raising questions about post-discharge nutritional needs.
- Improving in-hospital nutrition may reduce acquired nutritional deficits before discharge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the necessity of specialized nutrient-enriched discharge formulas for preterm infants.
- To establish optimal feeding recommendations for preterm infants after hospital discharge.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of current feeding practices for preterm infants.
- Evaluation of the impact of in-hospital nutrition on post-discharge nutritional status.
Main Results:
- The systematic use of specialized discharge formulas may not be necessary given improvements in in-hospital nutrition.
- Focusing on human milk feeding is recommended post-discharge.
- Addressing identified nutrient deficits promptly is crucial.
Conclusions:
- Prioritize human milk for preterm infants after discharge.
- Minimize and correct nutrient deficits without promoting excessive postnatal growth.
- Rethink the routine use of specialized discharge formulas.
Abstract:
In recent years, much attention has been focused on enhancing the nutritional support of very preterm infants to improve both survival and quality of life. In most countries throughout the world, preterm infants tend to be discharged from hospital earlier than the expected term for economic and other reasons. The question has arisen whether such infants might require special nutritional regimens or special discharge formulas. Since nutrition during hospitalization tends to improve, thereby reducing acquired nutrition deficit, the question of the systematic use of specially designed nutrient-enriched discharge formulas should be questioned. Recommendations for feeding the preterm infant after hospital discharge are made keeping in mind that the goal in nourishing preterm infants after discharge should be to promote human milk feeding, minimize nutrient deficits, promptly address these deficits once identified, and avoid over-nourishing or promoting postnatal growth acceleration once nutrient deficits have been corrected.
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