Post-discharge nutrition and the VLBW infant: To supplement or not supplement?: a review of the current evidence

Nneka I Nzegwu; Richard A Ehrenkranz

doi:10.1016/j.clp.2014.02.008

Post-discharge nutrition and the VLBW infant: To supplement or not supplement?: a review of the current evidence

Clin Perinatol. 2014 Jun;41(2):463-74. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2014.02.008. Epub 2014 Apr 14.

Authors

Nneka I Nzegwu¹, Richard A Ehrenkranz²

Affiliations

¹ Section of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, PO Box 208064, New Haven, CT 06520-8064, USA. Electronic address: nneka.nzegwu@yale.edu.
² Section of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, PO Box 208064, New Haven, CT 06520-8064, USA.

PMID: 24873844
DOI: 10.1016/j.clp.2014.02.008

Abstract

Due to advancements in neonatology, the survival of very-low-birth-weight infants, especially extremely low-birth-weight infants continues to rise. The goal of nutrition in these preterm infants is to match the intrauterine growth curves of the normally growing fetus. Despite this recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition, neonatologists struggle daily to meet this goal, and as a result, postnatal growth failure and restriction are common. This article reviews post-discharge nutrition in the VLBW population, examining different types of post-discharge nutrition, current evidence, and future and remaining questions. In addition, recommendations are provided for post-discharge nutrition in this population.

Keywords: Human milk; Multinutrient fortification; Nutrient-enriched formula; Post-discharge formula; Post-discharge nutrition; Postnatal growth failure.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature / growth & development*
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*
Milk, Human*
Nutritional Support*
Patient Discharge / trends*