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High-protein formulas: evidence for use in preterm infants

Laura D Brown1, Kendra Hendrickson2, Marc L Masor3

  • 1Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop F441, 13243 East 23rd Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.

Clinics in Perinatology
|May 31, 2014
PubMed

Insights

High protein intake is crucial for preterm infants to support growth and improve neurodevelopmental outcomes. This review examines protein delivery in neonatal intensive care units, focusing on formula types and administration risks.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal nutrition
  • Pediatric growth and development
  • Protein metabolism in infants

Background:

  • Fetal growth in late second to early third trimester requires substantial protein for normal synthetic rates.
  • Preterm infants often experience suboptimal growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • Specialized preterm formulas enriched with protein have been developed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review factors influencing enteral protein delivery in preterm infants.
  • To compare standard and high-protein preterm formulas in neonatal intensive care units.
  • To discuss the risks associated with insufficient or excessive protein administration.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on protein requirements and delivery in preterm infants.
  • Analysis of current practices in neonatal intensive care units regarding preterm formulas.
  • Discussion of protein quantity and quality in enteral feeding.

Main Results:

  • Sustained higher protein intake in preterm infants promotes growth comparable to normally growing fetuses.
  • Improved long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes are associated with adequate protein intake.
  • Careful consideration of protein quantity and quality is essential to mitigate risks.

Conclusions:

  • Optimizing protein delivery is vital for improving growth and neurodevelopment in preterm infants.
  • High-protein preterm formulas may be beneficial but require careful management.
  • Balancing protein intake is critical to avoid potential adverse effects in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Keywords:
Enteral feedingFormulasHigh-protein formulasPremature infant formulasPrematurityPretermPreterm formulasProtein

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