HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS REGISTER		Author Keyword(s) Vol Page [Advanced]

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Puntis, J W L Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Puntis, J W L

Nutritional support in the premature newborn

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr J W L Puntis
Department of Paediatrics, Room 142, B Floor, The General Infirmary at Leeds, Belmont Grove, Leeds LS2 9NS, UK; john.puntis{at}leedsth.nhs.uk

The theory and practice of nutritional support in the premature newborn has assumed increasing importance with survival of greater numbers of very immature infants. After birth, many do not tolerate full enteral feeding until gastrointestinal motor function has matured. During this process some will develop necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), a devastating failure of adaptation to postnatal life that may result in death, or severe complications. The feeding strategy that minimises the risk of NEC remains to be defined. In addition, promoting growth rates and nutrient accretion equivalent to those achieved during fetal development while optimising neurodevelopmental and long term health outcomes represents an important challenge for neonatologists. This review will focus on the problems associated with enteral nutrition, the requirement for parenteral nutrition, and the long term consequences of early nutritional interventions, underlining the need for prolonged follow up in assessing the potential benefits of different approaches to feeding.

Abbreviations: NEC, necrotising enterocolitis; PN, parenteral nutrition

Keywords: nutrition; paediatrics; neonates; newborns

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S Vanhaesebrouck, C Vanhole, F d. Zegher, and K Allegaert Influence of duration of parenteral nutrition on retinopathy of prematurity Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed., March 1, 2008; 93(2): F170 - F170. [Full Text] [PDF]