Optimizing Early Neonatal Nutrition and Dietary Pattern in Premature Infants

Cornelia Wiechers, Wolfgang Bernhard, Rangmar Goelz, Christian F. Poets and Axel R. Franz
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Cornelia Wiechers: Department of Neonatology, University Children′s Hospital, Eberhard Karls University, Calwerstr. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
Wolfgang Bernhard: Department of Neonatology, University Children′s Hospital, Eberhard Karls University, Calwerstr. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
Rangmar Goelz: Department of Neonatology, University Children′s Hospital, Eberhard Karls University, Calwerstr. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
Christian F. Poets: Department of Neonatology, University Children′s Hospital, Eberhard Karls University, Calwerstr. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
Axel R. Franz: Department of Neonatology, University Children′s Hospital, Eberhard Karls University, Calwerstr. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-13

Abstract: Providing adequate amounts of all essential macro- and micronutrients to preterm infants during the period of extraordinarily rapid growth from 24 to 34 weeks’ postmenstrual age to achieve growth as in utero is challenging yet important, since early growth restriction and suboptimal neonatal nutrition have been identified as risk factors for adverse long-term development. Along with now well-established early parenteral nutrition, this review emphasizes enteral nutrition, which should be started early and rapidly increased. To minimize the side effects of parenteral nutrition and improve outcomes, early full enteral nutrition based on expressed mothers’ own milk is an important goal. Although neonatal nutrition has improved in recent decades, existing knowledge about, for example, the optimal composition and duration of parenteral nutrition, practical aspects of the transition to full enteral nutrition or the need for breast milk fortification is limited and intensively discussed. Therefore, further prospective studies on various aspects of preterm infant feeding are needed, especially with regard to the effects on long-term outcomes. This narrative review will summarize currently available and still missing evidence regarding optimal preterm infant nutrition, with emphasis on enteral nutrition and early postnatal growth, and deduce a practical approach.

Keywords: preterm infant; nutrition; enteral feeding advancements; growth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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