Preterm birth is the leading cause of perinatal morbility and mortality in developed countries. In the last few decades, there has been a significant increase in survival rate of preterm infants, especially of very low birth weight infants. Nutrition of preterm infants should result in growth similar to that of normally growing fetuses of the same gestational age. Unfortunately most preterm infants are not fed enough to achieve this objective; as a result, their growth is restricted by term gestation. This extrauterine growth restriction is particularly evident in sick infants with developing chronic lung disease, severe intraventricular haemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, or late-onset sepsis. In preterm infants enteral nutrition is the preferred mode of support while human milk is the preferred source of enteral nutrition. Breastfeeding is often the first choice due to its advantages to host defense, content of nutrients and digestion advantages, contribution to gastrointestinal function, neurodevelopmental benefits, advantages to the mother, and its role in reducing the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis. Hormones, growth factors, antiviral and anti inflammatory agents in mothers milk reduce the possibility of sepsis and help maintain a healthy intestinal flora as well. Howewer, for healthy growth of preterm infants, human milk needs to be supported with proteins and minerals. Human milk requires nutrient support to meet the protein and mineral needs of a healthy growing preterm infant. If feeding preterm infants with human milk is impossible or extremely limited, donor human milk or cow-milk-based formulas for preterm infants must be used. This review aims to provide current approaches to feeding in preterm infants.
Key words: Breast Feding; Enteral Feding; Newborn; Nutrition.
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