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Effect of standardized feeding protocol on nutrient supply and postnatal growth of preterm infants: A prospective

Z Khan1,2,3, N Morris1, H Unterrainer2

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Medical University of Graz, Austria.

Journal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
|April 26, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Adequate nutrition is crucial for preterm infants. Extremely preterm infants received less nutrients and had poorer growth due to delayed feeding protocols in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Intensive Care Medicine

Background:

  • Preterm birth poses significant health risks, emphasizing the critical role of early nutrition for neonatal outcomes.
  • Standardized feeding protocols in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are essential for managing nutrient supply and growth in premature infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate postnatal nutrient delivery and growth patterns in preterm infants based on a standardized feeding protocol.
  • To compare nutrient supply and growth between extremely preterm infants (EPI, <28 weeks) and very preterm infants (VPI, ≥28 weeks).

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study was conducted in a NICU, categorizing infants into EPI and VPI groups.
  • Data collected included duration of parenteral nutrition, time to full enteral nutrition, ventilation days, and corrected age at discharge.

Main Results:

  • Extremely preterm infants (EPI) experienced longer parenteral nutrition, delayed enteral feeding, increased ventilation, and later enteral feed fortification compared to very preterm infants (VPI).
  • Consequently, EPI exhibited significantly lower cumulative protein, fat, and energy intake.
  • Both groups exceeded recommended glucose intake by week 5, and significant growth parameter deficits (weight, length, head circumference Z scores) were observed in EPI at discharge.

Conclusions:

  • Aggressive parenteral nutrition and earlier enteral feed fortification within the first three weeks of life are recommended for preterm infants.
  • The impact of mother milk fortifiers on exceeding glucose recommendations in later weeks requires further investigation.
Abstract

Keywords:
Extremely preterm infantsmilk fortifierpostnatal growth

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