title: Enteral feeding of low birth weight infants.
abstract: There is sufficient evidence at present to support early enteral feeding of low birth weight (LBW) neonates, including those who are sick or very preterm (< 30 weeks). Trophic feeding with human milk initiated within 48 hours of birth at 10-15 ml/kg/day improves later tolerance to graded increment of enteral feeding volumes without increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis. Trophic feeding supports increments of feeding volumes by 30 ml/kg/day by intermittent gavage feeding. Non-nutritive sucking and spoon-feeding aid earlier transition to exclusive breast-feeding. Human milk promotes adequate growth of most preterm neonates, though many need multivitamin and mineral supplementation. The role of human milk fortifiers to promote growth appears controversial.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Division, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Siddarth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramji
mesh_terms: D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000254:growth & development; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008895:Milk, Human