[Nutrition for preterm infants].
BACKGROUND
Each year about 630 infants are born with very low birth weight (below 1500 g) in Norway. In spite of an increased survival rate over the past 30 years, many challenges remain in the treatment of premature infants; their nutritional need is an important aspect.


METHODS
This review is based on searches in the Medline database.


CONCLUSIONS
Human milk is the first choice for premature babies in Norway. The beneficial effects of human milk for premature babies are well documented, but unfortified human milk does not meet the nutritional needs of very low birth weight infants. Infants fed human milk grow slower than babies fed preterm formula. Fortification is necessary. There are many unsolved problems concerning nutrition for premature babies. What is the best rate of advancement in parenteral and enteral nutrition? How to improve the energy and protein fortification of human milk? Does human milk meet the need for long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids or is a supplement indicated? What are the optimal doses of vitamin and mineral supplements? What is the recommended nutrition after discharge? More clinical trials are needed to establish evidence-based practice.
Henriksen
Christine
C
Institutt for ernaeringsforskning, Universitetet i Oslo, Postboks 1046 Blindern, 0316 Oslo. christine.henriksen@basalmed.uio.no
Grønn
Morten
M
Drevon
Christian A
CA
Iversen
Per Ole
PO
D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005060:Europe; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007225:Infant Food; D041943:Infant Formula; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000254:growth & development*; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D014481:United States