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Review
. 2024 Nov;15(11):100305.
doi: 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100305. Epub 2024 Sep 21.

A Narrative Review of Strategies to Optimize Nutrition, Feeding, and Growth among Preterm-Born Infants: Implications for Practice

Faith E Bala  1 , Katlyn E McGrattan  2 , Christina J Valentine  3 , Sudarshan R Jadcherla  4
Affiliations
Review

A Narrative Review of Strategies to Optimize Nutrition, Feeding, and Growth among Preterm-Born Infants: Implications for Practice

Faith E Bala et al. Adv Nutr. 2024 Nov.

Abstract

Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal and under-5 mortality globally, and healthcare-related burden and nutrition-related morbidities are unsustainable, particularly in resource-limited regions. Additionally, preterm infants are susceptible to multiple adverse outcomes including growth faltering, suboptimal neurodevelopment, and multisystemic morbidities. Maturation, healing, repair, and restoration to normalcy in preterm-born infants require optimizing nutrition; only then, prognosis, growth, neurodevelopment, and overall quality of life can improve. In this article, we discuss the various evidence-based feeding and nutritional strategies that can be applicable even in resource-limited settings, where resources and infrastructure for advanced neonatal care are limited. This article addresses nutrition, feeding strategies, and growth monitoring in the neonatal intensive care unit and at discharge to optimize nutrition, growth, and development.

Keywords: growth assessment; infant and young child feeding; low birth weight infant; low- and middle-income countries; neonatology; nutritional assessment; nutritional management; preterm infant; resource-limited settings.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest The authors have no competing interests to declare that are relevant to the content of this article. Dr Valentine serves as Chief Medical Officer for Kate Farms Nutrition, but they had no input, nor do they manufacture Infant nutrition products. This work was a result of her academic role.

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