Guidelines for Feeding Very Low Birth Weight Infants |
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| Authors: | Sourabh Dutta Balpreet Singh Lorraine Chessell Jennifer Wilson Marianne Janes Kimberley McDonald Shaneela Shahid Victoria A. Gardner Aune Hjartarson Margaret Purcha Jennifer Watson Chris de Boer Barbara Gaal Christoph Fusch |
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| Affiliation: | Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University Children’s Hospital, Hamilton L8S4L8, Ontario, Canada; E-Mails: (B.S.); (L.C.); (J.W.); (M.J.); (K.M.); (S.S.); (V.A.G.); (A.H.); (M.P.); (J.W.); (C.B.); (B.G.); (C.F.) |
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| Abstract: | Despite the fact that feeding a very low birth weight (VLBW) neonate is a fundamental and inevitable part of its management, this is a field which is beset with controversies. Optimal nutrition improves growth and neurological outcomes, and reduces the incidence of sepsis and possibly even retinopathy of prematurity. There is a great deal of heterogeneity of practice among neonatologists and pediatricians regarding feeding VLBW infants. A working group on feeding guidelines for VLBW infants was constituted in McMaster University, Canada. The group listed a number of important questions that had to be answered with respect to feeding VLBW infants, systematically reviewed the literature, critically appraised the level of evidence, and generated a comprehensive set of guidelines. These guidelines form the basis of this state-of-art review. The review touches upon trophic feeding, nutritional feeding, fortification, feeding in special circumstances, assessment of feed tolerance, and management of gastric residuals, gastro-esophageal reflux, and glycerin enemas. |
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| Keywords: | feeding very low birth weight neonate review |
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