The protein requirement of preterm infants

The daily fetal protein accretion rate (g/kg b.w.) was calculated from the daily fetal weight gain and the protein content of the fetus. Taking the net protein utilization of 80% in preterm infants (Snyderman et al., 1969) we calculated the protein requirement of preterm infants from the fetal protein accretion rate to be at a maximum of 2.7 g/kg b.w. day for the fetus growing on the 50th weight centile during the 30th to 31st postconceptional week. The more preterm infant has lower requirements.