Abstract
Limited data are available regarding the nutritional needs for preterm infants. In most cases, guidelines refer to the acquisition of neuromotor skills, adequate weight and corrected chronological age. While waiting for the establishment of specific nutritional indications for premature infants we proposed the weaning recommendations for term infants of the Italian Society of Human Nutrition with LARNs (Reference intake Levels of Nutrients and energy for the Italian population) of 2014, the Dietary Reference Values for nutrients of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) of 2017 and the Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand Including Recommended Dietary Intakes of 2017.
Highlights
Complementary feeding (CF), is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2002, as that process that starts when breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to satisfy the nutritional requirements of infants so that the addition of other foods and liquids is necessary [1]
While waiting for the establishment of specific nutritional indications for premature infants we proposed the weaning recommendations for term infants of the Italian Society of Human Nutrition with LARNs (Reference intake Levels of Nutrients and energy for the Italian population) of 2014, the Dietary Reference Values for nutrients of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) of 2017 and the Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand Including Recommended Dietary Intakes of 2017
Delayed introduction of complementary feeding may result in nutritional deficits [35,36]. Many of these problems can be prevented by starting to wean at a time when infants present readiness cues [36]. It is widely described in the literature that, to promote catch-up growth and neurodevelopment, preterm infants need a greater supply of energy, proteins and iron
Summary
Complementary feeding (CF), is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2002, as that process that starts when breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to satisfy the nutritional requirements of infants so that the addition of other foods and liquids is necessary [1]. The European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) recommends delaying the introduction of CF until at least 17 weeks of age, but no later than 26 weeks, recommending exclusive breastfeeding until six months [2]. These recommendations are not conceived for preterm infants. In 1994 the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy (COMA) included, in the guidelines on weaning, a section on preterm infants which included recommendations to determine the appropriate time to start weaning They advised to initiate the weaning process when the infant has reached at least. While waiting for the establishment of specific nutritional indications for premature infants, a valid option is represented by the weaning recommendations for term infants
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