Neonatal nutrition: a brief review.
BACKGROUND
With increasing survival of extremely premature infants, emphasis is now focused on the quality of these survivors' lives. Possibly the most important factor in the premature's ability to survive in the NICU and thrive is the ability to replicate in utero growth through enteral and parenteral nutrition.


METHODS
Current literature and review articles were retrieved from PubMed and personal files of the authors.


RESULTS
The use and complications of the various components of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were reviewed. The composition of appropriate enteral feeds for the premature was reviewed as was the difficulties associated with the establishment of adequate enteral feeds in the premature infants.


CONCLUSIONS
Early initiation of amino acids in TPN and timely increases in the components of TPN can improve the caloric intake of prematures. Enteral feeds, particularly of breast milk, may be started within the first few days of life in all but hemodynamically unstable prematures. Newer lipid preparations show promise in reversing the hepatic damage of TPN associated cholestatic jaundice.
Schutzman
David L
DL
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19141, USA. schutzmand@einstein.edu
Porat
Rachel
R
Salvador
Agnes
A
Janeczko
Michael
M
D000601:Amino Acids, Essential / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000378:metabolism; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008055:Lipids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000378:metabolism; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D018529:Nutritional Support / Q000379:methods; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain
D000601:Amino Acids, Essential; D002241:Carbohydrates; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D008055:Lipids; D018977:Micronutrients