Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers
Published on: July 28, 2022
Assessing the effect of disease on nutrition of the preterm infant
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver 80262, USA.
Insights
Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) and very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants are often underfed, increasing risks from disease-related metabolic stress. Optimizing nutrient intake is crucial for their development and to prevent long-term issues.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition
- Pediatric critical care
- Metabolic disorders in infants
Background:
- Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) and very low birth weight (VLBW) infants have unique nutritional needs.
- Diseases common in preterm infants significantly alter metabolic and nutritional requirements.
- Inadequate nutrition is a concern in the early postnatal period for these vulnerable infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review data on the nutritional requirements of ELBW and VLBW preterm infants.
- To examine how diseases affect these nutritional needs.
- To provide recommendations for managing nutritional problems in sick preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a literature search for relevant studies.
- Analyzed data on nutritional requirements and disease impacts.
- Identified common diseases affecting nutrition and metabolism.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants with ELBW and VLBW often receive insufficient nutrition.
- Disease-related stress exacerbates nutritional deficiencies.
- Underfeeding combined with disease increases the risk of neurological complications.
Conclusions:
- Diseases significantly alter nutrient needs in preterm infants.
- Underfeeding is a critical issue for ELBW and VLBW infants, raising risks.
- Further research is needed to define optimal nutrient quality and quantity for these infants.
Objective:
To review existing data on nutritional requirements of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) and very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants (those who weigh < 1000 g and 1000-1500 g at birth, respectively), and the effects of diseases on these nutritional requirements.
Data Sources:
A literature search was conducted on applicable articles related to nutritional requirements of preterm ELBW and VLBW infants and the effects of diseases in these infants on their nutritional and metabolic requirements.
Data Synthesis:
The literature was analyzed to determine nutritional requirements of preterm ELBW and VLBW infants, to select the most common diseases that have significant and important effects on nutrition and metabolism in these infants, and to make recommendations about diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to nutritional problems as affected by diseases in ELBW and VLBW infants.
Conclusions:
Many diseases unique to preterm infants, either directly or by enhancing the effects of stress on the metabolism of such infants, provide important changes in the nutrient requirements. The overriding observation from all studies, however, is that ELBW and VLBW preterm infants are underfed during the early postnatal period and that this condition, combined with additional stresses from various diseases, increases the risk of long-term neurological sequelae. The value of achieving a specific body composition and growth weight is less certain. There remains a critical need for determining the right quality as well as quantity of nutrients for these infants.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
01:28Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care