Optimising preterm nutrition: present and future

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Date
2016-04-01
Authors
Brennan, Ann-Marie
Murphy, Brendan P.
Kiely, Mairead E.
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Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society
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Abstract
The goal of preterm nutrition in achieving growth and body composition approximating that of the fetus of the same postmenstrual age is difficult to achieve. Current nutrition recommendations depend largely on expert opinion, due to lack of evidence, and are primarily birth weight based, with no consideration given to gestational age and/or need for catch-up growth. Assessment of growth is based predominately on anthropometry, which gives insufficient attention to the quality of growth. The present paper provides a review of the current literature on the nutritional management and assessment of growth in preterm infants. It explores several approaches that may be required to optimise nutrient intakes in preterm infants, such as personalising nutritional support, collection of nutrient intake data in real-time, and measurement of body composition. In clinical practice, the response to inappropriate nutrient intakes is delayed as the effects of under- or overnutrition are not immediate, and there is limited nutritional feedback at the cot-side. The accurate and non-invasive measurement of infant body composition, assessed by means of air displacement plethysmography, has been shown to be useful in assessing quality of growth. The development and implementation of personalised, responsive nutritional management of preterm infants, utilising real-time nutrient intake data collection, with ongoing nutritional assessments that include measurement of body composition is required to help meet the individual needs of preterm infants.
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Keywords
Body composition , Nutritional requirements , PEA POD , Preterm infant
Citation
Brennan, A.-M., Murphy, B. P. and Kiely, M. E. (2016) 'Optimising preterm nutrition: present and future', Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 75(2), pp. 154-161. doi: 10.1017/S0029665116000136
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© 2016, the Authors. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society. This material is free to view and download for personal use only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works.