Nutritional requirements and parenteral nutrition in preterm infants

  • Sithembiso Velaphi University of the Witwatersrand
Keywords: nutritional requirements, preterm infants

Abstract

Intrauterine growth is supported by continuous supply of nutrients from mother to the fetus throughout pregnancy therefore preterm birth causes disruption in delivery of nutrients to the fetus. In order to allow growth rate similar to that seen in utero, or avoid extra-uterine growth retardation there should be no interruption in delivery of nutrients from time of birth onwards. Extra-uterine growth retardation is associated with adverse outcomes including chronic lung disease, increased risk to infection and abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome. Provision of appropriate nutritional requirements soon after birth is critical for normal development and growth of preterm infants. Preterm infants are often not able to tolerate volumes of oral feeds that will provide adequate daily requirements for growth within the first week or two of life, therefore parenteral nutrition is often required. Understanding nutritional requirements for preterm infants who require parenteral nutrition is very important. This review discusses the nutritional requirements for preterm infants and parenteral nutrition.

Author Biography

Sithembiso Velaphi, University of the Witwatersrand
MBChB, MMed, FC Paed (SA) Department of Paediatrics University of the Witwatersrand Metabolic Unit Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital Chris Hani Road Soweto Johannesburg
Published
2011-09-09
How to Cite
Velaphi, S. (2011). Nutritional requirements and parenteral nutrition in preterm infants. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 24(5), S27-S31. Retrieved from http://sajcn.co.za/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/577
Section
Review Articles