Influence of early postnatal nutritional management on oxidative stress and antioxidant defence in extreme prematurity

Abstract

The increased survival of infants born at mid-gestation in the last decade is associated with significant oxygen free radical-mediated morbidities. Resuscitation with 100% oxygen, oxidant load from parenteral nutrition fluids, and oxidant stress inherent to the systemic inflammatory state subsequent to infection and tissue injury are all contributory.

Conclusion: Improving early postnatal protein nutrition and the formulation of parenteral nutrition fluids would potentially reduce the oxidative stress and enhance the antioxidant defence of extremely premature newborns.