Open AccessEnteral nutrition of the premature infant
Author(s) -
Su Jin Cho
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
korean journal of pediatrics/korean journal of pediatrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2092-7258
pISSN - 1738-1061
DOI - 10.3345/kjp.2010.53.1.7
Subject(s) - medicine , parenteral nutrition , calorie , pediatrics , enteral administration , intensive care medicine
Early nutritional support for preterm infants is critical because such support influences long-term outcome. Minimal enteral feeding should be initiated as soon as possible if an infant is stable and if feeding advancement is recommended as relevant to the clinical course. Maternal milk is the gold standard for enteral feeding, but fortification may be needed to achieve optimal growth in a rapidly growing premature infant. Erythromycin may aid in promoting gastrointestinal motility in cases that exhibit feeding intolerance. Selected preterm infants need vitamins, mineral supplements, and calorie enhancers to meet their nutritional needs. Despite all that is known about this topic, additional research is needed to guide postdischarge nutrition of preterm infants in order to maintain optimal growth and neurodevelopment