PEDIATRICS Vol. 75 No. 5 May 1985, pp. 976-986
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation

Nutritional Needs of Low-Birth-Weight Infants

Committee on Nutrition

Optimal nutrition is critical in the management of the ever-increasing number of surviving small premature infants. Although the most appropriate goal of nutrition of the low-birth-weight (LBW) infant is not definitively known, achieving a postnatal growth that approximates the in utero growth of a normal fetus at the same postconception age appears to be the most logical approach at present.1 In uncomplicated cases, growth will usually begin by the second week after birth, after the initial changes in body water distribution have taken place, and after the infant has accommodated in a nonstressful way to the provision of enteral feeds and parenteral supplements. The fetal standards of growth that will be considered here include not only weight and length, but also values for rate of retention of individual nutrients and minerals (Table 1).2 The quality of postnatal growth may differ from the quality of fetal growth, depending on the type of milk consumed, eg, ex utero weight gain of a premature infant given formula includes more fat gain than that of a fetus of the same maturity.3

CALORIC REQUIREMENT

Energy expenditure for maintenance and growth determines the caloric requirements of the infant. The energy expenditure for growth includes both the energy value of the new tissue and the energy cost of the tissue synthesis. The estimated "basal" or maintenance metabolic rate of LBW infants, including an irreducible amount of physical activity, is lower in the first week after birth than later, and in a thermoneutral environment is approximately 50 kcal/kg/d by 2 to 3 weeks of age.4,5




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 PediatricsHome page
J. Steinmacher, F. Pohlandt, H. Bode, S. Sander, M. Kron, and A. R. Franz
Randomized Trial of Early Versus Late Enteral Iron Supplementation in Infants With a Birth Weight of Less Than 1301 Grams: Neurocognitive Development at 5.3 Years' Corrected Age
Pediatrics, September 1, 2007; 120(3): 538 - 546.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
F. M. Regan, W. S. Cutfield, C. Jefferies, E. Robinson, and P. L. Hofman
The Impact of Early Nutrition in Premature Infants on Later Childhood Insulin Sensitivity and Growth
Pediatrics, November 1, 2006; 118(5): 1943 - 1949.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
C. J. Wang, E. A. McGlynn, R. H. Brook, C. H. Leonard, R. E. Piecuch, S. I. Hsueh, and M. A. Schuster
Quality-of-Care Indicators for the Neurodevelopmental Follow-up of Very Low Birth Weight Children: Results of an Expert Panel Process.
Pediatrics, June 1, 2006; 117(6): 2080 - 2092.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Nutr Clin PractHome page
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrit, and Task Force on Standards for Specialized Nutrit, Jane Balint, Catherine Crill, and Kimberly Klotz
Standards for Specialized Nutrition Support: Hospitalized Pediatric Patients
Nutr Clin Pract, February 1, 2005; 20(1): 103 - 116.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
T. N.K. Raju, R. L. Ariagno, R. Higgins, and L. J. V. Marter
Research in Neonatology for the 21st Century: Executive Summary of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development-American Academy of Pediatrics Workshop. Part I: Academic Issues
Pediatrics, February 1, 2005; 115(2): 468 - 474.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
A. Lapillonne, B. L Salle, F. H Glorieux, and O. Claris
Bone mineralization and growth are enhanced in preterm infants fed an isocaloric, nutrient-enriched preterm formula through term
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, December 1, 2004; 80(6): 1595 - 1603.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Nutr.Home page
P. B. Darling, M. Dunn, G. S. Gilani, R. O. Ball, and P. B. Pencharz
Phenylalanine Kinetics Differ between Formula-Fed and Human Milk-Fed Preterm Infants
J. Nutr., October 1, 2004; 134(10): 2540 - 2545.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 The Annals of PharmacotherapyHome page
P. D Reiter, J. Robles, and E. B Dowell
Effect of 24-Hour Intravenous Tubing Set Change on the Sterility of Repackaged Fat Emulsion in Neonates
Ann. Pharmacother., October 1, 2004; 38(10): 1603 - 1607.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
B. T. Bloom, J. Mulligan, C. Arnold, S. Ellis, S. Moffitt, A. Rivera, S. Kunamneni, P. Thomas, R. H. Clark, and J. Peabody
Improving Growth of Very Low Birth Weight Infants in the First 28 Days
Pediatrics, July 1, 2003; 112(1): 8 - 14.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
I. Litmanovitz, T. Dolfin, O. Friedland, S. Arnon, R. Regev, R. Shainkin-Kestenbaum, M. Lis, and A. Eliakim
Early Physical Activity Intervention Prevents Decrease of Bone Strength in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Pediatrics, July 1, 2003; 112(1): 15 - 19.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Hum LactHome page
Y. K. Park, E. R. Meier, and W. O. Song
Characteristics of Teenage Mothers and Predictors of Breastfeeding Initiation in the Michigan Wic Program in 1995
J Hum Lact, February 1, 2003; 19(1): 50 - 56.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
I. E. Olsen, D. K. Richardson, C. H. Schmid, L. M. Ausman, and J. T. Dwyer
Intersite Differences in Weight Growth Velocity of Extremely Premature Infants
Pediatrics, December 1, 2002; 110(6): 1125 - 1132.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 BMJHome page
T. Gera and H P S Sachdev
Effect of iron supplementation on incidence of infectious illness in children: systematic review
BMJ, November 16, 2002; 325(7373): 1142 - 1142.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Nutr.Home page
F. R. Greer
Feeding the Premature Infant in the 20th Century
J. Nutr., February 1, 2001; 131(2): 426S - 430.
[Abstract] [Full Text]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
L. J. Moyer-Mileur, V. Brunstetter, T. P. McNaught, G. Gill, and G. M. Chan
Daily Physical Activity Program Increases Bone Mineralization and Growth in Preterm Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Pediatrics, November 1, 2000; 106(5): 1088 - 1092.
[Abstract] [Full Text]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
A. R. Franz, W. A. Mihatsch, S. Sander, M. Kron, and F. Pohlandt
Prospective Randomized Trial of Early Versus Late Enteral Iron Supplementation in Infants With a Birth Weight of Less Than 1301 Grams
Pediatrics, October 1, 2000; 106(4): 700 - 706.
[Abstract] [Full Text]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
D. M. Walton, D. C. Thomas, H. Z. Aly, and B. L. Short
Morbid Hypocalcemia Associated With Phosphate Enema in a Six-Week-Old Infant
Pediatrics, September 1, 2000; 106(3): 37e - 37.
[Abstract] [Full Text]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
W. W. Hay, J. MD, A. Lucas, W. C. Heird, E. Ziegler, E. Levin, G. D. Grave, C. S. Catz, and S. J. Yaffe
Workshop Summary: Nutrition of the Extremely Low Birth Weight Infant
Pediatrics, December 1, 1999; 104(6): 1360 - 1368.
[Full Text]

Home page
 J Hum LactHome page
P. D. Hill, J. C. Aldag, and R. T. Chatterton
Effects of Pumping Style on Milk Production in Mothers of Non-Nursing Preterm Infants
J Hum Lact, September 1, 1999; 15(3): 209 - 216.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Arch Pediatr Adolesc MedHome page
S. B. Amin, R. A. Sinkin, M. P. McDermott, and J. W. Kendig
Lipid Intolerance in Neonates Receiving Dexamethasone for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, August 1, 1999; 153(8): 795 - 800.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
R. A. Ehrenkranz, N. Younes, J. A. Lemons, A. A. Fanaroff, E. F. Donovan, L. L. Wright, V. Katsikiotis, J. E. Tyson, W. Oh, S. Shankaran, et al.
Longitudinal Growth of Hospitalized Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Pediatrics, August 1, 1999; 104(2): 280 - 289.
[Abstract] [Full Text]

Home page
 Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed.Home page
I. J Griffin, R. J Cooke, M. M Reid, K. P B McCormick, and J. S Smith
Iron nutritional status in preterm infants fed formulas fortified with iron
Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed., July 1, 1999; 81(1): 45F - 49.
[Abstract] [Full Text]

Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
P. B Darling, M. Dunn, G. Sarwar, S. Brookes, R. O Ball, and P. B Pencharz
Threonine kinetics in preterm infants fed their mothers' milk or formula with various ratios of whey to casein
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, January 1, 1999; 69(1): 105 - 114.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J Hum LactHome page
R. J. Schanler
Reply by Dr. Schanler
J Hum Lact, June 1, 1998; 14(2): 99 - 100.
[PDF]

Home page
 J Hum LactHome page
R. J. Schanler
Fortified Human Milk: Nature's Way to Feed Premature Infants
J Hum Lact, March 1, 1998; 14(1): 5 - 11.
[PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
Work Group on Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk
Pediatrics, December 1, 1997; 100(6): 1035 - 1039.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
M. A. B. , M. Abrahamowicz, and R. H. Usher
Factors Associated With Growth of Extremely Premature Infants During Initial Hospitalization
Pediatrics, October 1, 1997; 100(4): 640 - 646.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
M. A. Berry, H. Conrod, and R. H. Usher
Growth of Very Premature Infants Fed Intravenous Hyperalimentation and Calcium-supplemented Formula
Pediatrics, October 1, 1997; 100(4): 647 - 653.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed.Home page
D. C Wilson, P. Cairns, H. L Halliday, M. Reid, G. McClure, and J. A Dodge
Randomised controlled trial of an aggressive nutritional regimen in sick very low birthweight infants
Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed., July 1, 1997; 77(1): 4F - 11.
[Abstract] [Full Text]

Home page
 J Hum LactHome page
P. D. Hill, K. S. Hanson, and A. L. Mefford
Mothers of Low Birthweight Infants: Breastfeeding Patterns and Problems
J Hum Lact, September 1, 1994; 10(3): 169 - 176.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 CLIN PEDIATRHome page
S. Shaffer and D. Feretti
Neonatal Hyponatremia Associated with Low Maternal Breast Milk Sodium Content
Clinical Pediatrics, February 1, 1990; 29(2): 119 - 121.
[PDF]