Guidelines for feeding very low birth weight infants.

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.

Target fortification of breast milk with fat, protein, and carbohydrates for preterm infants.

OBJECTIVES: Fortification of breast milk is an accepted practice for feeding very low birth weight infants, however, fixed dosage enhancement does not address variations in native breast milk. This could lead to deficiencies in calories and macronutrients. We therefore established the infrastructure for target fortification in breast milk by measuring and adjusting fat, protein, and carbohydrate content daily. We analyzed nutrient intake, growth, and safety variables. STUDY DESIGN: Each 12-hour batch of breast milk was analyzed using near-infrared spectroscopy. Macronutrients were individually added to routine fortification to achieve final contents for fat (4.4 g), protein (3 g), and carbohydrates (8.8 g) (per 100 mL). Fully breast milk fed healthy very low birth weight infants (<32 weeks) were fed the fortified breast milk for at least 3 weeks. Matched pair analysis of 20 infants fed routinely fortified breast milk was performed using birth weight, gestational age, and postnatal age. RESULTS: All 650 pooled breast milk samples required at least 1 macronutrient adjusted. On average, 0.3 ± 0.4 g of fat, 0.7 ± 0.2 g of protein, and 1.2 ± 0.2 g of carbohydrate were added. Biochemistry was normal in the 10 target fortified infants (birth weight: 860 ± 309 g, 26.3 ± 1.6 weeks gestational age); weight gain was 19.9 ± 2.7 g/kg/d; and milk intake was 147 ± 5 mL/kg/d (131 ± 16 kcal/kg/d). Osmolality of fortified breast milk was 436 ± 13 mOsmol/kg. Matched pair analysis of infants indicated a higher milk intake (155 ± 5 mL/kg/d) but similar weight gain (19.7 ± 3.3 g/kg/d). No adverse event was observed. The linear relationship between milk intake and weight gain observed in study babies but not seen in matched controls may be related to the variable composition of breast milk. CONCLUSIONS: Daily target fortification can be safely implemented in clinical routine and may improve growth.