Complementary feeding in infants born preterm: Aspects needing improvement.

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Nutrition
• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Infant Bone Health

Background:

• Preterm infants (PIs) have unique nutritional needs post-discharge.
• Complementary feeding (CF) practices in PIs require careful monitoring for optimal growth and development.
• Established guidelines exist for introducing solids, but adherence and outcomes in PIs are less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess complementary feeding (CF) patterns in preterm infants (PIs) up to 12 months corrected age (CA).
• To evaluate the nutritional intake and bone status of these infants.
• To identify potential correlations between diet and bone health.

Main Methods:

• 167 preterm infants (PIs) born ≤34 weeks gestational age were studied at 12 months CA.
• Complementary feeding (CF) data collected via parental questionnaires and 24-hour dietary recalls.
• Bone status assessed using quantitative ultrasound in a subgroup.

Main Results:

• CF initiated between 5-8 months chronological age in 67.1% of PIs, with fruit most common first food.
• PIs consumed excess energy and protein, but lower lipids and carbohydrates than recommended.
• Vitamin D intake correlated with bone parameters (metacarpus-bone transmission time, r=0.36, p=0.01).

Conclusions:

• PIs' complementary feeding (CF) showed heterogeneity and some deviations from best practices.
• Vitamin D intake is a significant factor influencing bone status in preterm infants at 1 year CA.
• Ongoing monitoring and education on CF for PIs are crucial.