Abstract
Feeding of low birth weight (LBW) and very low birth weight (VLBW) Infants
Highlights
Feeding of Low Birth Weight (LBW) and Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) infants remains a challenge
VLBW infants are different from their term counterparts in having been born without significant nutrient stores and having increased expenditure owing to complications inherent to prematurity like respiratory distress, hypothermia etc
In stable low risk infants, there is increasing evidence to start feeding on day 1 in the first few hours after birth [3].There is no consensus on when to start feeding in high risk infants, there is a move to start feeding early even in this group [4]
Summary
Feeding of Low Birth Weight (LBW) and Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) infants remains a challenge. While enteral feeding should be the preferred method of feeding in these infants owing, the complications associated with parenteral nutrition, it is often complicated due to inherent risks these infants are predisposed to because of prematurity and low birth weight. A balance and consistent approach is required. Our nutritional approach for these sub group of infants should be to attain weight gain and growth equivalent to that which would have occurred in utero in a normal pregnancy. There has been a better understanding of the physiological basis of enteral nutrition in VLBW infants. We explore the current recommendations for feeding of infants in this group
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