Enteral feeding of the preterm infant

Abstract 

Preterm infants pose a major nutritional challenge. The importance of early nutrition is emphasized by accumulating evidence that it influences long-term health and development as well as short-term growth and outcome. Human milk has many benefits for preterm infants. In the short term it is better tolerated than formula milk with a lower risk of necrotizing enterocolitis. In the longer term it is associated with improved neurodevelopment and lower blood pressure. Human milk should be supplemented with phosphorus as a minimum, and, if infant growth is inadequate, with a multi-nutrient fortifier. Protein intake is as important as energy intake, and the use of carbohydrate supplements alone is inappropriate. Where human milk is unavailable or insufficient to meet the infant's full requirements, preterm formula should be used. After discharge from hospital, formula-fed infants should preferably receive a nutrient-enriched post-discharge formula. The need for nutrient supplements in infants breast-fed after discharge requires further investigation.

Keywords: preterm infants, enteral nutrition, breast milk, formula milk, clinical outcome

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• f1 Correspondence to: MF. Tel.: +44(0)20 7905 2389; Fax: +44(0)20 7831 9903; E-mail: m.fewtrell@ich.ucl.ac.uk