title: Considerations and approaches in determining the protein and energy composition of preterm infant formulas.
abstract: Optimal early nutritional support is considered a crucial issue in the care of the preterm infant, particularly of those with very low- or extremely low-brithweight. Unfortunately, this goal is seldom satisfactorily attained. Several conditions such as hypoxia, acidosis, patent ductus arteriosus, drug therapy, reduced intestinal motility may interfere with an adequate nutritional delivery in the early neonatal period. Moreover, there is still concern about metabolic and intestinal tolerance of the currently suggested intakes and a lack of uniformity in the nutritional program among different NICUs. Finally, the vast majority of the available preterm formulas are not fully adequate to the real nutritional needs of these infants. Inadequate protein content and inappropriate protein energy ratio of most preterm formulas represent a matter of major concern, since there is a strict relationship between formula composition and the quantity and quality of weight gain. As a consequence there is a need of at least two milk formulas for different preterm infants: one for LBW and VLBW infants, the other for preterm infants weighing >1500 g.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Italy. fnrslv@unife.it
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fanaro
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cristofori
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mosca
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Savino
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vigi
mesh_terms: D002149:Energy Intake; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000737:chemistry*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins