Impact of Nutrient Intake on Body Composition in Very Low-Birth Weight Infants Following Early Progressive Enteral Feeding

Abstract

Preterm infants have increased body adiposity at term-equivalent age and risk of adverse metabolic outcomes. The aim of the study was to define how nutrient intake may impact body composition (BC) of very low-birth weight infants fed with early progressive enteral feeding and standard fortification. Eighty-six infants with p p = 0.007) and body adiposity at 12 months of CA (p = 0.021). Nutritional needs may depend on gestational age and routine fortification should be used with caution in more mature infants.

Keywords

• preterm
• very low birth weight
• newborn
• nutrient intake
• body composition
• dual X-ray absorptiometry