Parenteral Protein in Extremely Preterm Infants - More Is Not Better

Targeting optimal protein delivery in parenteral and enteral nutrition for preterm infants: a review of randomized, controlled trials

Close attention to nutritional management is essential for optimizing growth and neurodevelopment of the preterm infant. Protein intake and the protein to energy ratio are the main determinants of growth and body composition. Yet large, multi-center, randomized controlled trials are lacking to guide protein delivery for the preterm infant. Until these studies are pursued, smaller trials must be used to inform clinical practice. This review summarizes the randomized controlled trials that have been performed to test the impact of higher vs. lower protein delivery to the preterm infant. We consider the trials that varied protein delivery rates during parenteral and enteral phases of nutrition. Considerable heterogeneity exists across study designs. Still, cumulative evidence from these trials provides a framework for current recommendations for protein intake in the preterm infant.

Frühgeborene: Schützen zusätzliche Aminosäuren vor Behinderungen?

Für das fetale Wachstum und die Hirnentwicklung ist eine ausreichende Proteinzufuhr unabdingbar. Es wird angenommen, dass Feten in utero täglich zwischen 3 und 4 Gramm Aminosäuren pro Kilogramm Körpergewicht aufnehmen. Profitieren Frühgeborene mit extrem niedrigem Geburtsgewicht im Hinblick auf die entwicklungsneurologische Prognose, das Wachstum und die neonatale Morbidität von einer erhöhten Aminosäurezufuhr?