Abstract
Background: This systematic review summarizes available literature regarding complementary feeding (CF) in preterm infants, with or without comorbidities that may interfere with oral functions. Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Studies relating to preterm infants (gestational age <37 weeks) were included in the analysis. Retrieved papers were categorized according to their main topic: CF timing and quality; clinical outcome; recommendations; strategies in infants with oral dysfunction. Results: The literature search in PubMed retrieved 6295 papers. Forty met inclusion criteria. The Cochrane search identified four additional study protocols, two related to studies included among PubMed search results, and two ongoing trials. Moreover, among 112 papers dealing with oral feeding, four aiming at managing CF in preterm infants with oral dysfunctions were identified. Conclusions: The available literature does not provide specific guidelines on the management of CF in preterm infants, who are generally weaned earlier than term infants. There is a paucity of data regarding the relationship between CF and growth/quality of growth and health outcomes in preterm infants. It could be suggested to start CF between five and eight months of chronological age if infants have reached three months corrected age and if they have acquired the necessary developmental skills. An individualized multidisciplinary intervention is advisable for preterm infants with oral dysfunctions.
Highlights
Optimal nutrition in the first 1000 days, from conception to the second year of life, has the potential to shape individual health status during both childhood and adult life [1]
We aimed to investigate the available literature regarding the management of complementary feeding (CF) in preterm infants who have developed comorbidities that may interfere with oral functions
Data from a recent cross-sectional study performed in Poland and Austria show that preterm birth is associated with a four-to-tenfold increase in the risk of being introduced early to solid foods compared to term birth, with almost 60% of preterm infants in Austria and 80% in Poland receiving CF before four months of age [9]
Summary
Optimal nutrition in the first 1000 days, from conception to the second year of life, has the potential to shape individual health status during both childhood and adult life [1]. No guidelines about CF in preterm infants exist, and both the recent recommendations issued by the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) [3] and the Italian Society of Pediatrics [4] are intended to guide the introduction of solid foods to “healthy term infants”. The aim of the present paper is to analyze systematically the available literature about current practices regarding the timing and characteristics of the introduction of CF among preterm infants (defined as infants born before 37 weeks gestational age [GA]). We aimed to investigate the available literature regarding the management of CF in preterm infants who have developed comorbidities that may interfere with oral functions. This systematic review summarizes available literature regarding complementary feeding (CF) in preterm infants, with or without comorbidities that may interfere with oral functions
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